Gravel Epic Marrakech Course Revealed
3 days of the most incredible gravel stage racing and riding you can picture coupled with 3 nights in remote camp settings in the Atlas Mountains and Agafay Desert this 31st March - 2nd April 2022
These stages are guaranteed to take your breath away. From stunning gravel climbs, untouched landscapes, and a point-to-point adventure into the unknown, this is what gravel cycling looks like!
Day 1 - Arrival in Marrakech
Picture landing and walking out of the airport… The air is hot and the breeze cool. There are hints of spices so subtle that you think that your mind is playing tricks on you. Welcome to Marrakech and the start of your amazing adventure. Riders will settle into the hotel, assemble or pick-up their rental bikes and get ready for the stage 1 briefing. Riders will be able to stretch their legs after dinner by taking a walk through the Famous Place Jemaa El Fna, taking in the sights and sounds of the Souk. Riders should get a good night's sleep because in the morning adventure begins.
Stage 1 - 118km 2,320m+
This is it, dawn has broken and it’s time to get the show on the groad. From the start line near Marrakech, Stage One heads quickly to the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. Riders will be in awe as the city melts away and the valleys of the Atlas welcome them with their embrace.
Heading out of Marrakech the riders will be able to see the Atlas mountains in the distance. Hopefully this will stir excitement in everyone knowing that by the end of the stage riders will be lounging in tents on the shores of lake Ouirgane deep in the Atlas Mountains. As the sights and sounds of the city slips away riders will find themselves riding on tarmac as the course leads straight to the mountains. The first 46km will allow the riders to warm-up properly and to shake off any lingering nerves.
Riders will arrive at the village of Tnine l’Ourika and ride through this luxurious valley filled with Fig and date trees. At Elagrab the route takes a sharp left turn and the real race begins. Riders will start a 1000m climb over 30 km. The climb winds its way up through Pine and Juniper forests. Clinging to the green and red valley walls riders continue to climb to the high point of the stage.
At the bottom of the descent in the village of Toufssirin riders will have caught their breath and be ready for the last 500m climb of the day. At this point in the course riders will find themselves riding through dry mountain landscapes. The vibrant green of the river valley in stark contrast to the browns and reds of the arid desert make for an unforgettable ride.
At the top of the last climb riders will be able to gaze over the Village of Asni and the parcours of stage 2. At this point riders will find an incredible and fun gravel descent. The descent continues on paved roads after Asni as riders see the man-made oasis of Ouirgane in the distance. Riders should take it all in, the turquoise water contrasts perfectly with the beautiful reds of the mountains that surround the lake. Riders should feel good as they cross the finish line! Rest up stage 2, the Queen Stage beckons.
Stage 2 - 121km, 3230m+
Stage Two starts at the lake's edge as riders will immediately be thrown into the stage's biggest climb. This climb is 22km long with 1000m of elevation gain. The gravel track is superb and remote and should allow the riders plenty of time to enjoy the scenery as they race to the top. Riders should enjoy the rugged and remote scenery and enjoy the beautiful mountain peaks, some of which are the highest in the Atlas.
Riders having reached the highpoint for the day will not be disappointed as they turn their backs to the high mountains and descend to the next great adventure of the day. At the bottom of the descent at kilometer 40, Rider will briefly cross the village of Asni and will face a punchy 2.5km climb with 300m of elevation gain. However it will be worth it!
The fun has to end at some point and riders will find themselves pointing their bikes back towards the mountains as they climb towards the end of stage 2. The course from here is a steady climb, with a few fast descents. The course follows the streams that drain the snow covered peaks of the Atlas. Riders should be able to enjoy the smells of the juniper and pine as they continue to climb.
As riders climb deeper and deeper into the mountains the small villages start to fall away. Eventually riders will find themselves rolling on dry stream beds as they approach the last kilometers of the stage. As the riders pass the small mountain village of Anerni they will hit the final climb of the day. The wall of Toulkine is 4 km and 249m of elevation gain. As the riders cross the finish line their home away from home awaits with warm showers, fresh clothes, and cold refreshments.
Stage 3 - 94km, 1190m+
Stage Three finds riders deep in the Atlas mountains, remote and disconnected riders should savor every last pedal stroke today. The parcours will not seem as daunting as the last two stages,but stage 3 still has a few surprises in store for these gravel warriors. The first 13km riders will be able to take in and appreciate the remoteness around them. At this point the course will turn and start to take the riders away from the mountains.
The high arid steppe conditions will make for incredible memories as riders descend for another 12km. Rider will find themselves at the base of the 2nd to last climb on the final stage. After 2 long days in the saddle riders will take solace in the fact that this wall is only 12km longs with an elevation gain of 530m. This climb is followed by a fast and quick 3km descent before the last climb of the race.
The remainder of the race will find riders descending back towards the Agafay desert. This should be enjoyed because it is a fun beautiful race to the finish line. This last part will descend 1270m over a distance of 45km. Riders will pass through sparsely wooded mountain valleys into the high plains and finally into the raw beauty of the Agafay desert. In the desert riders will cross the finish line knowing that they have completed an incredible journey!
However the experience is not over, riders can now relax and look forward to the closing race ceremony and party. Riders will find themselves in the desert with a canopy of stars overhead, candles and fires lit to light their way as they sit back, relax, and enjoy the accomplishment of completing the Gravel Epic Marrakech.
VIDEO: Gravel Epic Morocco 2022
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