Waves of emotions were running up and down the elite peloton of the Škoda Titan Desert Morocco during stage 5. On one side, we had Roberto Bou and Tessa Kortekaas, the most recent stage winners and new leaders of their respective GCs. On the other were Vera Looser and Konny Looser who have lost their lead and the Swiss rider even had to withdraw. Both had been suffering from physical and nutritional problems for a couple of days and it was in the fifth stage of the race that these ailments took their toll. However, this cannot tarnish the brilliant performances of both Bou and Kortekaas who are the new leaders in both general standings. Furthermore, after today’s stage, Josep Betalú is now second in the GC.
For the Aragonese rider, Bou, stage 5 was one of those that leave a mark. He fought on his own for more than 80 kilometres on a route that crossed dunes, large plains and long navigation sections. With a showcase of genuine grit, Bou has managed to open almost a ten-minute gap ahead of the group chasing him: Sergio Mantecón, Óscar Pujol and Josep Betalú. But nothing could stop Bou who kept going and opening up the gap, even to his apparent disbelief. A real ride for the history books and the definitely best performance of Bou in a race he knows well. The more than 5,500 kilometres he has accumulated in the Titan World Series make him a true Titan Legend Platinum.
To circle back a bit, based on mileage, Rookie Tessa Kortekaas is far from being a Titan Legend but she is already on her way to becoming a racing legend. An overall victory as a debuting rider is unusual – but it might seem that the Kosner – Saltoki Home rider is on her way to it.
Stage 4 Men’s Results
| Pos. | Name | Club | Country | Official Time | Real Time | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ROBERTO BOU | CANNONDALE VAS ARABAY | SPAIN | 03:22:37 | 03:22:36 | ||
| 2 | SERGIO MANTECON | SCOTT CALA BANDIDA | SPAIN | 03:31:15 | 03:31:12 | ||
| 3 | JOSEP BETALÚ | KH7 | SPAIN | 03:31:15 | 03:31:15 | ||
| 4 | OSCAR PUJOL | INDEPENDIENTE | SPAIN | 03:31:15 | 03:31:12 | ||
| 5 | FRAN HERRERO | CANNONDALE VAS ARABAY | SPAIN | 03:40:39 | 03:40:39 | ||
| 6 | MIGUEL MUÑOZ | CANNONDALE VAS ARABAY | SPAIN | 03:43:14 | 03:43:13 | ||
| 7 | HAIMAR ZUBELDIA | KRYPTEIA | SPAIN | 03:48:32 | 03:48:31 | ||
| 8 | MARCOS JURADO | SIESTTA Y DESCANSO | SPAIN | 03:48:32 | 03:48:25 | ||
| 9 | TOMI MISSER | SKODA WE LOVE CYCLING | SPAIN | 03:50:40 | 03:50:32 | ||
| 10 | MIQUEL FAUS | SCOTT CALA BANDIDA | SPAIN | 03:50:40 | 03:50:37 |
Stage 4 Women’s Results
| Pos. | Dorsal | Nombre | Club | País | T. oficial | T. Real | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 203 | TESSA KORTEKAAS | TEAM KOSNER-SALTOKI HOME | NETHERLANDS | 03:50:39 | 03:50:37 | |
| 2 | 201 | VERA LOOSER | TEAM KOSNER-SALTOKI HOME | GERMANY | 04:12:10 | 04:12:09 | |
| 3 | 202 | ARIADNA RODENAS | MONDRAKER | SPAIN | 04:22:11 | 04:22:07 | |
| 4 | 224 | MARTA ROMEU | KRYPTEIA | SPAIN | 04:22:11 | 04:22:03 | |
| 5 | 204 | NAIMA MADLEN DIESNER | KH7 | GERMANY | 04:45:05 | 04:44:56 | |
| 6 | 491 | MÓNICA CALDERON | CANNONDALE VAS ARABAY | COLOMBIA | 04:56:35 | 04:56:21 | |
| 7 | 212 | TUNGUI CUENCO | GESA SPORT | SPAIN | 05:17:38 | 05:17:26 | |
| 8 | 211 | ESTEFANIA GUTIERREZ | SOLO BICI GHOST | SPAIN | 05:33:16 | 05:33:03 | |
| 9 | 493 | ALINA JÄGER | CLIPPEDINANDFREE | GERMANY | 05:50:09 | 05:49:30 | |
| 10 | 213 | NURIA BLANCO | IGLECAR | SPAIN | 06:45:30 | 06:44:58 |
