South African Giniel De Villiers and Alex Haro
Giniel De Villiers, Alex Haro at the finish line of Rally Du Maroc in Ifran, Morocco on October 09, 2019 // Kin Marcin/Red Bull Content Pool

Home » South Africa’s Giniel de Villiers WINS 2019 Moroccan Rally

South Africa’s Giniel de Villiers WINS 2019 Moroccan Rally

South Africa’s Giniel de Villiers has won the 2019 Rallye du Maroc in a Toyota vehicle, in what was crucial preparation for the 2020 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia. The 47-year-old South African ensured that he goes into the world’s toughest off-road race in January on a big high with a comprehensive victory margin of […]

By SAPeople
12-10-19 11:03
in Fab South African Stuff
South African Giniel De Villiers and Alex Haro
Giniel De Villiers, Alex Haro at the finish line of Rally Du Maroc in Ifran, Morocco on October 09, 2019 // Kin Marcin/Red Bull Content Pool

South Africa’s Giniel de Villiers has won the 2019 Rallye du Maroc in a Toyota vehicle, in what was crucial preparation for the 2020 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia.

South African Giniel De Villiers and Alex Haro
Giniel De Villiers, Alex Haro at the finish line of Rally Du Maroc in Ifran, Morocco on October 09, 2019 // Kin Marcin/Red Bull Content Pool

The 47-year-old South African ensured that he goes into the world’s toughest off-road race in January on a big high with a comprehensive victory margin of 17 minutes and 42 seconds over Spaniard Carlos Sainz who was last year’s winner.

De Villiers, the 2009 Dakar Rally champion, said after Wednesday’s victory: “A big thank you to the team for their hard work this week and also to Alex Haro for the navigation! This was one tough rally!”

The Moroccan rally-raid race was over five desert stages.

American Andrew Short won the race in the bike division. And by coming fourth in Morocco, French husband-and-wife team of Stéphane and Andrea Peterhansel made history to snatch the 2019 FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies title.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racin Team
Husband-and-wife team Stéphane and Andrea Peterhansel made history as the first couple to win the 2019 FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies title in Morocco. South African Giniel de Villiers and American Andrew Short won the 2019 Rallye du Maroc. // Red Bull KTM Factory Racin Team at the finish line of Rally Du Maroc in Ifran, Morocco on October 09, 2019 // Kin Marcin/Red Bull Content Pool

Friends and fans of De Villiers posted messages on social media including: “Awesome Gielie! ???? Proud of you!!”

WATCH VIDEO: Giniel de Villiers in action

https://www.facebook.com/MotorsportInsight/videos/348306309274551/

https://www.facebook.com/toyotasouthafrica/photos/a.10151941233746785/10157049098466785/?type=3&theater

 

2019 Rallye du Maroc selected final results:

Cars

1. Giniel De Villiers (RSA) Toyota 17:48:44

2. Carlos Sainz (SPA) MINI Buggy +17:42

3. Kuba Przygoński (POL) MINI Rally +58:27

4. Stéphane Peterhansel (FRA) MINI Buggy +01:29:34

Bikes

1. Andrew Short (USA) Husqvarna 18:03:54

2. Pablo Quintanilla (CHI) Husqvarna +01:21

3. Joan Barreda (SPA) Honda +02:44

4. Toby Price (AUS) KTM +02:51

6. Luciano Benavides (ARG) KTM +07:17

7. Matthias Walkner (AUT) KTM +07:38

18. Laia Sanz (SPA) KTM +01:25:31

Source: Reuters and Toyota