TRANSMAROCAINE 2012 - 7th edition
Transfer to Ouarzazate
Anne-Marie Dunhill / 12.03.2011
With all teams having arrived safely in Marrakech (give or take a few bikes), Saturday has been spent transferring the teams to Ouarazazate. Racers loaded up their gear onto trucks and installed themselves on the the buses. Announced as a 4 hour drive with a 45 minute break, it will likely take the buses much longer to negotiate the high mountain passes and hair-pin curves. The press travelled ahead and the scenery was stunning. Leaving the diesel fumes of Marrakech behind and heading towards the mountains, the air became more crisp. It has rained heavily off and on here at lower altitudes for the last three days and soil has returned the favor with an explosion of green. The road to Ouarazazate took us high into the mountains and over the Col de Tikka at 2,226 m. Racers can expect to be higher then this on Wednesday.
Recent snow fall meant that the road over the mountain was closed to traffic yesterday and snow plows were still in evidence. The afternoon sun melted some of the snow and torrents of red clay rushed down valley. The road itself was an interesting experience; it is amazing how many different obstacles can pop up to be narrowly avoided. A quick stop was made to allow a passenger to relieve himself of his breakfast and the 4x4s carried on. Coming down the mountain pass onto flatter ground the scenery was one from a Western and one can see why several movie studios have chosen to film here.
Tomorrow will be the race briefing and verifications as well as bib distribution. As the buses arrived at the hotel the racers disembarked to the sounds of traditional Moroccan chants and a warm glass of mint tea.
Judging from the scenery traversed today the racers will be in for a visual treat over the next week.See All Event Posts
