• Third stage: An unmarked "big ditch" stops Toyota of Alonso in Morocco

Fernando Alonso on Wednesday managed to cross the goal of the Rally of Morocco after a succession of adventures that hindered his participation in this test, chosen by the former world champion of Formula 1 to prepare his future participation in the Dakar. Aided by his co-driver Marc Coma , a five-time winner of the Dakar on a motorcycle, he finished eighth in the fifth stage and finished in 27th place (of 33) of the general classification.

Already in the first stage, a special cut of 204 km played on Saturday, the Spaniard suffered three punctures and a broken tire, setbacks that relegated him to position 21, almost 45 minutes from the leader, the Qatari Nasser al-Attiyah, Toyota driver like Alonso.

But it was in the third stage when the double winner of Le Mans 24H (2018 and 2019) was close to leaving. Alonso damaged the front of his car by falling into a ditch that was not indicated in the road book and in which other pilots also fell, before the direction of the test took safety measures.

Alonso could not finish the stage, but was authorized to continue in the test with a penalty of 70 hours, which ruled out all his options for victory, but allowed him to continue gaining experience in his first participation in a rally, after the tests of September in South Africa.

"Glad to have completed the first rally of my career and take this experience that will help me to continue improving. There is much but another top10 that leaves me with a good taste. Thank you Toyota and all the boys of the team, they have been fantastic! And congratulations! for the victory of @therealginiel @alexharo_codriver, "Alonso wrote on his Instagram account.

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The final victory went to the South African Giniel de Villiers (Toyota), who was able to maintain his advantage over the Spaniard Carlos Sainz (Buggy Mini) and the Frenchman Mathieu Serradori (Century Racing CR6).

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