The adventure of the SKODA Titan Desert returns to its original scenario, in Morocco. After the successful experience in Almería in 2020, the Titan Desert returns to its origins, to Morocco, with its traditional format of 6 stages (639 km and about 7000 meters of climbing), bivouacs, haimas (Bedouin tents), dromedary camels, mint tea and Tagine once again. The SKODA Titan Desert in 2024 will take place in April, 28th to May, 3rd. The Škoda Titan Desert Morocco has announced its 2024 route: it will start in Boumalne Dades on April, 28th and will end at its traditional finish line in Maadid, on May, 3rd. A format similar to the one adopted in 2023, with two very mountainous first stages, close to the Atlas Mountains. After that, the Titans peloton will move its challenge to the desert, with four long, rolling stages with different challenges each day. Key features, such as the Škoda Challenge timed section, which rewards 60 seconds bonus to the fastest female and mal riders to complete it; the marathon stage, in which participants will not have mechanical or physiotherapy help at the end of the stage; or navigation sections without track or marked course will return one more year. The hardest MTB race in the world will discover the mountainous territories and the Moroccan desert. It will become the scene of a fight for the win, a struggle against the elements, in one of the driest places on the planet. The challenge lies in high demand of both, sense of orientation and endurance. Bikers have to be able to complete, overcoming the adversities of the desert, heat, but most of all the physically taxing distance. The race can be contested either as Solo or in Team consiting of 2 or 3 riders, as well as in mixed teams of male and female.
Description
2023 - The High Atlas, also called the Grand Atlas Mountains is a mountain range in central Morocco and rises in the west at the Atlantic Ocean and stretches in an eastern direction to the Moroccan-Algerian border. At the Atlantic and to the southwest the range drops abruptly and makes an impressive transition to the coast and the Anti-Atlas range. To the north, in the direction of Marrakech, the range descends less abruptly. The range includes Jbel Toubkal, which at 4,167 m is the highest in the range and lies in Toubkal National Park. It serves as a weather system barrier in Morocco running east-west and separating the Sahara's climatic influences, which are particularly pronounced in the summer, from the more Mediterranean climate to the north, resulting in dramatic changes in temperature across the range. In the higher elevations in the range snow falls regularly, allowing winter sports. Snow lasts well into late spring in the High Atlas, mostly on the northern faces of the range. The High Atlas forms the basins for a multiplicity of river systems. The majority of the year-round rivers flow to the north, providing the basis for the settlements there. A number of wadis and seasonal rivers terminate in the deserts to the south and plateaux to the east of the mountains. Erfoud is an oasis town in the Sahara Desert, in in the Meknès-Tafilalet of the Maghreb region in eastern Morocco. Due to its proximity to Merzouga desert village in the Erg Chebbi Dunes, Erfoud has developed tourist related infrastructures such as hotels and restaurants.
Errachidia is one of the provinces of Morocco, which is part of the Meknes-Tafilalet region, and the capital city of Tafilalt, important administrative, commercial, military and University Centre. Tafilalet is the largest oasis of the Moroccan Sahara which extends around the Ziz River. The landscape is dominated by red mountains, rocks and stone fields. Many oasis of Palm trees that produce the famous dates can be found in the middle of this dry environment. To the South of Errachidia is Erfoud, point of departure for the dunes of Erg Chebbi. At the end of the main street, the asphalt road ends and begins a long series of dunes that announce the desert. The highest, Merzouga, can reach the 150 meters high. It is here where they say that you can attend one of the most beautiful sunrises in the world.
the Race
The SKODA TITAN DESERT is a very special MTB stage race born in 2006 that takes place annually in the Moroccan desert. Open to all amateur the race annually hosts more than 400 entries from all over the world. With over 600 km and 7000 meters of climbing, a race to do in 6 days attracts hundreds of anonymous amateur athletes who seek it overcome their own limits and test themselves. Since its first edition the race has a large number of professionals or former professionals in sport participating and they are not necessarily from the world of cycling. In it have been riders like Roberto Heras, Abraham Olano, Laurent Jalabert or Melcior Mauri and athletes like Andres Jimenez, Marc Coma, Josef Ajram or Amparo Ausina. The raid consist inseveral stages as an endurance and orientation event for mountain bike (MTB) conducted as a Challenge, in which participants who arrive after the Control Time or drop out of a stage can start in the following stage, but without scoring in the general classification of that stage or in any other classifications. In case of another arrival after Control Time or another dropout, the rider must resign from the race. The 2024 - edition will take place in Morocco from April 28th to May 3rd. The classic marathon stage where mechanical or physiotherapy assistance is not allowed and you sleep in a common Bedouin tent, corresponds to the fourth journey, while you will live again the Garmin stage, without any signaling and in which participants will be guided only by their GPS and waypoints provided by the organization.
The Škoda Titan Desert Morocco 2024 will start in Boumalne Dades on April the 28th and will end at its traditional finish line in Maadid, on May the 3rd. A format similar to the one adopted in 2023, with two very mountainous first stages, close to the Atlas Mountains. After that, the Titans peloton will move its challenge to the desert, with four long, rolling stages with different challenges each day. Key features, such as the Škoda Challenge timed section, which rewards 60 seconds bonus to the fastest female and mal riders to complete it; the marathon stage, in which participants will not have mechanical or physiotherapy help at the end of the stage; or navigation sections without track or marked course will return one more year.
At the sporting level, Manuel Tajada, sports director of the Škoda Titan Desert Morocco, has emphasized one of the great novelties of the 2024-edition: the time bonus for the winners at the finish line. “We want to give an incentive to the sprints. Every year we have more and more level among the leading men and women, so we have to find ways for strategy to continue to be a differential factor, in the same way that technique or physique on the bike is.”
It will be a very special edition in Morocco, where we will encounter the bivouacs, haimas (Bedouin tents), dromedary camels, mint tea and Tagine once again. The North African country hosted the event from its birth in 2006 until 2019, although the pandemic meant that the organization of the Titan Desert had to move the event to Almería in 2020 to be able to hold the 15th edition with guaranteed safety. Based on the experience of the Titan Desert 2020 in Almería, the organizing team will once more ensure people’s safety and health above any other consideration, to achieve a Covid-free race again.
RPM-MKTG CEO Jesús García says: "The Titan Desert will continue to grow, it will reach out to the world, crossing the sands of the most mythical deserts on the planet, but naturally without not leaving the Moroccan desert, which is the origin and the culmination of this great project for us. He announces that “we will reach out to three continents in 2021: Morocco (Africa) in May; back to the Tabernas desert in Almería (Europe) at the end of October/beginning of November, on similar dates to the edition held in 2020; and we will end the year in December in Asia with the Titan Series Saudi Arabia”.
This edition of the Titan Desert will be very special again. All the bikers have to finish in the best posssible time. This is a challenge that few have been able to complete, overcoming the desert, the heat, the distance and the physical effort required, all under the worst possible conditions. But the raid is not only for superheroes. It is for anyone willing to make the sacrifice and overcome the challenge. Mountain bike enthusiasts in good physical condition put both their physical and mental strength to the test. At the end of each stage the organization gives a trophy for the stage winner and a trophy and the leader maillot in each individuall classification. Wearing the leader maillot is mandatory for the leaders in the next stage. Orientation is a vitally import and aspect of the TITAN DESERT. Here we will explain how to use the main elements to guide you along the routes. The use of the roadbook, compass and GPS, recommended by the organisers, even more important regardless of whether you are out to win or just testing your own endurance by completing the course. In some parts of the stages you will be able to use your orientation to find better routes to move forward and the Check Points are mandatory and represented in GPS points (waypoints). The titans will rest in amazing camps, more than 22.000 m2. A bivouac with all the services they need in the middle of the desert. The participants will sleep in authentic berebers’ tents able to hold up to 3 people. In general numbers, the camps will accommodate more than 1.000 people (participants, assistances, staff and the mass media). Undoubtedly, the Titan Desert is more than a simply MTB race by stages. And it will definitely keep improving in order to be one of the best sporting adventures.
Categories
The TITAN DESERT is open to riders over 16 years old. Participation can be made individually, by teams of 3 riders (who can consist of runners of different categories and sex) or by teams of 2 riders of different sex. The organization provides to the participant: a plate, two dorsal and a Road Book. The Roadbook must be presented at the end of each stage and the organizers will verify that it's totally full. When the Roadbook is presented, the organizers will give the roadbook of the next stage. The use of an approved safety helmet is mandatory for use during all the stages and the race. Plate must be worn visibly at the front of the bike. It's mandatory to display correctly the two numbers, one in the jersey and the other in the backpack. It's also mandatory to wear a thermal blanket.
If there is a category in the Titan Desert that reinforces the values of friendship and teamwork is the category CORPORATE, that appears for the third consecutive year among one of the most attractive options to compete in the race. "For the companies, the Corporate category is a great opportunity to show a good image to their customers. "Sport, adventure, personal improvement and effort are values that the Titan Desert by GARMIN trasnsmite to perfection ", said the general director of the race, Félix Dot. Participants who take part in this category will compete in teams of three. The main feature of the class is that the whole team should roll together with a maximum allowed time of 2 minutes between the first and third team member in the checkpoints and the finish line. Teamwork is essential in a category which has own classification and which gets a great media coverage.
There is also a special AMBASSADOR CLASSIFICATION: “Become the best Ambassador of your town and export with pride the name of your city in the GAES TITAN DESERT by GARMIN”. Represent your city, town or village in this new category formed by teams of two participants, who must ride together until the arrival to the finish line. Present your project in your town and explain all the benefits obtained for your participation in the Gaes TITAN DESERT by GARMIN, the toughest MTB race in the world. INFO
The 16th edition has some interesting new features, such as a renewed ADVENTURE classification, limited to 60 people, for those participants who seek an even greater challenge with more self-sufficiency and less personal comfort. A metal trunk with restricted measurements (width 45 cm / height 35 cm/ length 80 cm) will be made available to Adventure classification riders so that they can put all the things they need for the 6-day race in it. Furthermore, they may not receive mechanical assistance or physiotherapy, except from another rider in the race (lending spare parts is not allowed) or from another Adventure classification rider. This is applicable either during or outside the race, and also to the lending of spare parts. The Adventure riders will have their own areas, one for rest and the other for bike repairs. Another novelty this year is the ROOKIE classification; two people (their gender does not matter) who must ride together, consisting of a Titan (who finished [at least] in a previous edition) and an under-25 (rookie) born between 1997 and 2005. The two riders do not have to be related.
All participants must be in the start with a reserve of water that they will receive in the start line. The use of compass and the speedometer is required, is recommendable to use a GPS positioning system. Only the leaders of male and female category can wear the official red jersey of the TITAN DESERT. In the marathon stage any outside help (mechanical or staff) is forbidden from the start of marathon day 1 to the end of marathon day 2. Runners should bring supplies they consider necessary for overnight. And participants should sleep only in the allocated places in the marathon camp. The stages are cross-country races (raid type) with individual qualifying times that are accumulated to establish a general individual classification. The main developments in this new edition have attracted more MTB fans. The hardness increases with increasing stage mileage and the days of racing: from five stages in 2010 it grows to six stages in 2011 and from the 500km in 2010 to 600 km in the following editions.
EQUIPMENT. The organisation will provide the following for each registrant: - A number plate, two bibs and a roadbook (size DIN/A5). The regulations prohibit tearing pages from the roadbook under penalty of ejection from the race. At the end of each stage a check will be made to verify that the roadbook is complete and it will be returned to the owner for the following stage. An approved safety helmet whose use will be mandatory for the entire event. The number plate must be carried in a visible place on the front part of the bicycle. The two bibs must be visible, one on the jersey and the other on the hydration pack. A space blanket must be carried. All participants must arrive at the starting line with a reservoir of three (3) litres capacity. Water will be provided. The use of a compass and odometer is mandatory, and a GPS device is recommended. Only the leaders of the women’s and men’s categories may wear the official red TITAN DESERT jersey.
The RoadBook delivered to each rider includes all the details of the stages with the description of the route, location map, kilometers, altimetry profile, departure and arrival areas, location of water supplie areas, etc. .. In it there are included some GPS points depending on the difficulty of orientation and length of each stage. Participants must pass necessarily by the control points (CP) set. The absence of any control point involves a time penalty. Neutralized zones, if are, should be made by cycling and by the route indicated by the Organization. The route is open to traffic so the participants must follow the traffic rules in areas that had indications of speed, danger, etc..., and they should ride with care in villages or population areas. The organization gives to each participant 3 liters of water at the start and during the stages (at least each 40km) there are the WATER POINT SUPPLY (AV) indicated in the RoadBook. The participants are classified according to their order of arrival in the finish line, they are controlled electronically with crono chips. The lack of staining in a CHECK POINT (CP) has a time penalty. For each stage there is a time limit to finish the route called 'Control Closing Time' which is set according to the characteristics of each stage, and communicate in the daily briefing. Only the management of the race can modify it in case of adverse weather conditions or other reasons that justify it. If a rider arrives outside the Control Closing Time to a CP (Check Point), the participant must remain in that CP to be picked up by the Organization.
Team Standings.
To qualify for this classification, all members of the team should have covered all the stages.- To create a special classification different from the overall team, must be at least five teams registered for this new classification- The ranking of the teams at the end of the stages and the race is made by the sum of the time invested by the three riders on each team, top-ranking the less time team. In case of tie it's resolved in favor of the team that has scored fewer points in the sum of the finish position result in the stages of the team members. If eventually there is another tie it will be solved by the highest ranked rider in the stage..- To set the team standings, it will only consider the teams formally registered. For teams of two runners (Category DUO Mixed), they should make the route stage together within more than 1 minute difference between the team members in the Checkpoints (CP) and finish line. Otherwise, the team will be disqualified in the team standings and will apply to each runner's the highest time set in the stage. General individual timing classification‚ To qualify for this classification, the rider must have finished all the stages. The classification is made by the sum of the time invested in all stages for each rider. If there is a tie it's solved in favor of the participant best qualified in all the stages. If there is a new tie it's solved in favor of the top-ranked runner in the final stage. General team classification. Is obtained by the sum of the time spent by each team member in each stage, being better classified the team with lowest total time. If there is a tie it's solved in favor of the team better qualified in the previous stages. If there is a new tie it's solved in favor of the highest ranked team in the final stage. Special classifications by category. For each of the Elite, Sub-23, Master, Veteran and female classifications, to establish the special classifications taking the order of the individual overall standings of each participant.
Technical issues.
It's allowed the exchange of material (or bicycles) during the race between participants competing in the race. It's not allowed any outside material or technical assistance during the stage development. The supplies are allowed only in areas marked and indicated in the roadbook. Only those vehicles properly authorized by the Organization can follow the race by the race route. There is not allowed any other tracker vehicle. The participants can be aided by mechanics, physiotherapists, etc ... from the end of an stage to the next, but never in the course of the stage. All these aids must be accredited by the Organization, and may only perform their duties at the official hotels, official camps and in the designated areas. Since the arrival of the marathon stage until the start of the next stage is not allowed any external help to participants.
ASSISTANCE IN RACE - MECHANICAL AND PHYSIOTHERAPIST
The race assistance services for 'Titans' are already available. Via the website you will find all the contacts for hiring your assistance in the race either a mechanical or a physiotherapy service. These services are offered by professional companies unrelated to race and from the organization we want you to know who can bring such assistance in race.
During the days of race the assistances have a separate place in the camp. Mechanics are located next to the bike "parc fermé" and the physiotherapists "Haima" next to the BAR, in them you will find companies that offer services from the first day of the race until the last stage in the camps except for the marathon stage where is not allowed the external assistance to participants.
To hire a support service for the next edition you must select one of the companies that will be in the race. In the official website of the Titan Desert has been created a special space dedicated to these professionals where you will find all relevant contact information. The service contract must be done directly with the assistance company, we give you the contact but you must arrange directly with them the contract for the service.
Tecnical details
Date 2023: April 28th to May 3rd 19th edition
Course: 600 km and 7000 meters of climbimg (6 stages)
Start - arrival: Boumalne Dades - Maadid , Morocco
Organisation:
RPM Events smp, S.L. - Gran Vía, 8-10 6ª planta - 08902 Hospitalet de Llobregat - Barcelona (España)
Tel: 902.363.175 - Fax: (+34) 93.422.07.21 - E-mail: info@titandesert.com
Stages 2024:
stage 1 - 28/04/2024 - Boumalne Dades – Boumalne Dades 104 km + 2.444 m
stage 2 - 29/04/2024 - Boumalne Dades – Tourza 106 km + 1.754 m
stage 3 - 30/04/2024 - Tourza – M’ssici (Marathon Stage) 91 km + 590 m
stage 4 - 01/05/2024 - M’ssici – Erg Chebbi 119 km + 604 m
stage 5 - 02/05/2024 - Erg Chebbi – Erg Chebbi 100 km + 659 m
stage 6 - 03/05/2024 - Erg Chebbi – Maadid 69 km + 579 m
stage 6 - 03/05/2024 - Erg Chebbi – Maadid 75 km + 606 m
ROUTE
THE TITAN DESERT is open to men and women riders older than 16. Participants under 18 must present authorisation from a parent or guardian to be able to participate in the race.
Riders may partecipate as individuals, as members of teams of 3 which may be made up of riders of different categories and sex, or in teams of 2 riders of different sexes.
CATEGORIES:
The following participation options are available:
- Individual
- Adventure
• All competitors participating in the event will be eligible for the Adventure classification, i.e. not receiving any assistance from a doctor or physiotherapist on arriving at the bivouacs.
• Competitors in this classification may not belong to a team (3) or compete in other classifications
• The help/transfer/purchase of any mechanical or personal component from any other group is not permitted
• The only assistance allowed will be that given between participants. This assistance is only allowed in timed sections, not in the bivouacs.
• Any participant who receives external assistance will lose their place in the classification and receive a 30-minute penalty in their general classification.
• Assistance services must notify the Participants’ Service of any help given to competitors who are in the Adventure by Würth classification.
• In the event of a participant deciding to withdraw from the classification, he/she will receive a 30-minute penalty in the general classification
• The bicycle plate and identifying bracelet for the Adventure classification must be visible, and may not be manipulated or modified
• Not observing any of these rules will mean disqualification from the classification and the 30-minute associated penalty
• All competitors must work on their bicycles in the area allocated for the purpose
• The rider placed first in the Adventure classification will start in the second wave, unless his/her position in the general classification puts him/her in first one.
• In the event of receiving external assistance, the rider will be excluded from the class with a 30-minute penalty and will pass to the ordinary general classification.
- Teams – Teams of three riders who participate on an individual basis and can be of different ages and genders.
- Mixed Duos – Mixed-gender teams of two riders.
- Corporate Teams – Teams consisting of two riders from the same company whatever their gender(s). Proof of working for the same company is required.
- Ambassador Teams – Teams consisting of two riders from the same town or city whatever their gender(s). Proof of registration in the town or city for at least one year is required.
- Rookie category – consisting of two riders, one making their under-25 debut in the Titan Desert and the other a finisher in at least one edition of the Titan Desert.
Options with fewer than five participants/teams will be cancelled.
There are several men's categories:
Under-25 Born from 1996 to 2005 (16 to 25 years old)
Elite Born from 1982 to 1995 (26 to 39 years old)
Master 40 Born from 1972 to 1981 (40 to 49 years old)
Master 50 Born from 1962 to 1971 (50 to 59 years old)
Master 60 Born in 1961 or before (60 years old or more)
There are several women's categories:
Elite Born from 1982 to 2005 (16 to 39 years old)
Master Born in 1981 or earlier (40 years or older)
Categories with fewer than five participants/teams will be cancelled. Riders whose categories have been cancelled will be redistributed as follows: Under-23s will be reassigned to Elite, Master 40 riders will be reassigned to Elite, Master 50 riders will be reassigned to Master 40, and Master 60 riders will be reassigned to Master 50.
In the women's category, Masters will be reassigned to Elite.#
Registration fee 2024: 2.045,00.-Euro
The first price, for all participants over 25 years of age, is 2,045 euros. This price will go up after the first 200 race numbers (bibs) have been sold or on 2 February. Bear in mind that there are already more than 200 entrants registered or the event:
INCLUDING
• Registration for the race..
• Transportation of the bicycle by land from Barcelona to Morocco (return trip).
• Full-board accommodation for seven nights (excluding breakfast on Saturday 22 May and lunch on Saturday 29).
• Travel insurance
• Medical and nursing services
• Timing
• Geolocation device
• Drinks during the race
• Transportation of luggage between bivouacs.
• Twenty 1.5-litre water bottles outside the race (from 18 to 24 April).
NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:
• Travel to Morocco
• Transport of your bike from your home to Barcelona (and back)
• Extras in hotel rooms
• Additional drinks
• Mechanical support and physical therapy
NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:
Travel to Morocco
Transportation of the bicycle from home to Barcelona and back
Drinks
Technical support and physiotherapy
Extra night of Friday
Individual room at Hotel
VAT included in the rate. Riders can request an invoice, as 21% VAT applies to the registration.
LOYALTY DISCOUNTS* (Not applicable to special rates, 100 first and SUB23).
- 100 € one previous race.
- 150 € two previous races.
- 200 € three or more previous races.
*These discounts cannot be combined with other offers. Discounts are applied during the last term of payment or if the full payment is made.
TERMS of payment:
In order to confirm registration, the participant must send the following at the time of registration:
- The registration form by Internet.
- A receipt of the bank transfer of the registration fee or first installment. You can also pay by virtual TPV or funding by COFIDIS (only Spanish residents) within the user account on the web.
Non compliance with any of these conditions will mean that you are NOT REGISTERED for the race.
- Depending on the date of registration, the participant may pay the amount in installments.
_____________________________________________________
Charter flights
will be available for hiring in a few weeks. Participants should book their place on flights sending an email to info@titandesert.com indicating full name, flight selected and receipt of payment by bank transfer.
DEPARTURE FLIGHT MOROCCO (Saturday May 22nd, 2021 departure early in the morning) direct flight:
- From BARCELONA to ERRACHIDIA
- From MADRID to ERRACHIDIA
RETURN FLIGHT SPAIN (Sunday May 29th, 2021, arrival in the afternoon) direct flight:
- From ERRACHIDIA to BARCELONA
- From ERRACHIDIA to MADRID
MOROCCO FLIGHT PRICE: XXX,00.-€*
*Includes airport transfer to the starting point and from the finish of the race back to the airport. The selected DEPARTURE city will be necessarily the RETURNING city. Seats are limited: You must send the bank transfer receipt for the reservation of the seat on flights or pay by credit card
For capacity reasons in the charter flights, only participants living out of Europe are allowed to travel with their bikes in our charter flights, prior authorization of the organization. Bicycles must travel in special bike luggage/bag and maximum 20kg weight. Participants traveling from outside of Europe in our charter and traveling with your bike, we recommend asking to the organization the best departure city in order to be able to locate all bikes. The rest of participants must deliver their bikes in Barcelona between 18th and 19th of April 2017*. During the month of March you will receive all the information about the sending process for bikes in your email. You have some information at the participant’s guide.
In the charter planes is not allowed more than one bag per participant and the weight limit is 23kg It’s not possible to pay for overweight. A second bag is allowed on cabin, max. 5kg. NO LUGGAGE WITH MORE THAN 23 KG WILL BE ALLOWED IN THE FLIGHTS. The flight schedules will be communicated to participants few weeks before the race, also meeting point at the airport. Seats on charter flights are limited and will be allocated by strict order of booking and payment, considering that the reservation becomes effective at the time the booking is made and the organization receives the receipt of payment. If the available seats on charter planes are completed, it is the responsibility of each participant to find the way to arrive at the meeting point on April the 29th in Morocco, between 9am and 2pm. CHANGE OR CANCELLATIONS: No refunds are admitted on the amount paid for the flights.
For those participants who wish to travel to Morocco by their own BY PLANE:
The nearest airport to the race start and finish is ERRACHIDIA. Other airports in the area are FEZ or MARRAKESH (both about 7-8 hours by car) y OUARZAZATE (about 5-6 hours by car). We can arrange the transfer from any airport to the starting point and from the finish (contact the organization).
By CAR Another option is to travel with your own car to the starting point of the race, in this case you must consider the following:
- You must manage customs formalities (ATA).
- The start and end of the race will be in the same place (Erfoud) .
In any case, participants arriving on their own to the starting point, the days before the race they cannot stay in the same hotel as the organization and should manage their accommodation in other hotels. They must be at the meeting point on Saturday 29th April from 09am to 02pm in order to attend the compulsory checks and welcome briefing.
All other details on the Official homepage: www.titandesert.com