Pedal 125km to cross the desert: the detour of Titan’s most difficult stage

125 kilometers by bike through the sands of the desert, with meters and meters of uneven, impossible climbing suitable only for iron feet and under the scorching sun of the Moroccan desert, with extra navigation challenge.

This is the most difficult stage of Škoda Titan Desert Morocco 2022. Starting at Ksar Jadid and ending at Fezzou, the bikers gave their best in the middle of the race, combining great physical and mental strength and a great command of the technique of handlebar.

The former are very intense: it’s already a tradition that this stage leaves images remembered on the retinas of cycling fans. In 2019 Sylvain Chavanel — betting on “Mister Tour” because he is a professional cyclist with 18 participations in the famous French round — got a very tight win in the last pedal strokes.

In 2020 it was shown that weather conditions could be bad in the Almeria desert: cold, rain and hail made the titans succeed in the epic day. And in 2021, the queen stage is the prologue to the marathon (opposite this year) and marked by brilliant moments such as the escape of Oscar Carrasco, who rode alone at 90 kilometers. This attack caused his direct rivals to launch a spectacular chase.

It is a tradition that this stage leaves images to be remembered on the retinas of cycling fans.

In the women’s category, the winner in 2021 was Ariadna Ródenas. He showed strength and talent that was the prelude to his final success in the overall Titan Desert classification.

Mantecón’s victory in 2020 also means being the winner of the first Škoda Challenge, a challenge that rewards the fastest climber in the most difficult peak of the Titan Desert queen stage. The reward is a bonus of sixty seconds in the overall classification, a nice incentive for those who want to climb into positions.

In that case, the Škoda Challenge coincides with the finish line. But this year, there was a new profile and new location for these bonus points. Over the course of the stage, two scoring climbs were contemplated to achieve this advantage in the overall classification.

This year, Spaniards Roberto Bou and Anna Ramírez won this stage. Bou did an incredible workout in the second stage, battling a sandstorm; Anna Ramírez prevailed and once again showed her leadership by crossing the finish line 32 seconds before her rival Vera Looser.

An organization that should be perfect

Beyond the winners and beneficiaries in the overall classification, a great way to learn about the development of the queen stage (and the entire Škoda Titan Desert Morocco) is through team videos WeLoveCycling, consisting of Misha Sekulova and Tomi Misser. The two bikers explained their impressions after each stage on their YouTube channel.

Misser, who admits that in this edition she dedicates herself to enjoying the journey and giving the maximum of herself, revealed to us in her latest video “the Titan figures”: who and how does the legendary this event that mobilizes hundreds of people possible in the harsh Sahara desert.

And it is that after the destruction and suffering at each stage, but especially in this one, it is important that the participants find everything they need when they arrive at camp. Organization, assistance, staff, checkpoints, and vehicles are essential for Škoda Titan Desert Morocco 2022 to be perfect. Vehicles, for example, are key not only in helping participants on the track but also in moving the entire Titan from camp to camp.

Transportation of supplies and spare parts, as we saw in Misser’s video, is done in vehicles that the organization must support the participants. The desert track is as in demand for bicycles as for motor vehicles, so it is not surprising that they choose very reliable models, with the highest resistance in the most difficult terrain, in the most extreme conditions.

Thus, it is common to see Škoda -branded vehicles (for example, it is common to see Superb and Superb Combi models) as part of this motorized support for teams. Also, the Titan Desert organization chose the Škoda Enyaq as the support vehicle for various activities. The test served as the cover letter for this new 100% electric car model, a true example of commitment to the environment. For example, they are the cars that will open in each of the six stages of the 2022 edition.

Throughout the Škoda Titan Desert Morocco 2022 models from the Škoda SUV range have been found providing support services. Kodiaq, Karoq joined the aforementioned Enyaq. This is the best certification for these vehicles because they respond well to desert areas and difficult terrain, such as those seen at this stage of the queen.

Organization, assistance, staff, checkpoints and transport are essential for Škoda Titan Desert Morocco 2022 to be perfect

It should not be forgotten that this twinning between Škoda and cycling has some historical memories. The car brand was born over a century ago as a company of these pedal vehicles that are now battling the brutality of the desert.

The support activities of these vehicles are not limited to bringing cyclists ’equipment to camp at the end of each stage. Thanks to these Škoda models, the three refreshment points in each stage are always ready to provide participants with the necessary fluids in the harshness of the desert. Support cars are also important for placing checkpoints, four at each stage. Participants didn’t know their exact coordinates until the day before, and that’s where the navigation strategy comes into play. Everything is designed so that, as Tomi Misser says, “in the Škoda Titan Desert Morocco you never rest”.