TRANSMAROCAINE 2012 - 7th edition
Epilogue
Anne-Marie Dunhill / 20.03.2011
The epilogue turned out to be more then just a formality with teams close in ranking racing hard to close the gap and gain a couple of places in the classifications although it changed little for the lead teams. Racers left the hotel on MTB with a police escort and did a tour of the avenues of Marrakech, winding their way in front of the newly renovated hotel The Mamounia and the fragrant gardens of the Menara. A portion of an avenue was blocked in both directions to all traffic for the epilogue which was a sprint under the blazing sun as temperatures rose to over 30 degrees. Clearly visible in the background, the snow covered mountains of the Atlas were a constant reminder to the athletes of where they’d been and of the extreme conditions they’d experienced.
The racers did a total of five loops along the avenue, the first three on MTB, the second two a bike and run and the last one on foot. The podium for the prize giving ceremony was installed at one end of the avenue and as racers finished this edition of the Transmarocaine they were greeted by a large cheering crowd of spectators and the organization. All teams waited to welcome the other teams across the finish line and the prize giving ceremony took place immediately after wards, followed by an extravagant buffet of Moroccan delights.
Local dignitaries awarded the prizes as the race director Gilles Gaubert announced the winners in the different categories. The first five winners in the general category were Raid 74, Cap Opale , Decathlon Kiwi Raid, Passion Raid Nantes and the mixed team Vibram Lafuma in fifth place. As per usual, the full classifications are available on the race website and will only be definitive after the time for lodging protests had lapsed.
Teams had the afternoon off to explore the souks or take a well deserved hamman and massage whilst waiting for the closing ceremony in the famous Dar Essalam restaurant .
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