Legs beat tactics

It is always said that in the Škoda Titan Desert Morocco legs are as important as mind. The legs to be the one that moves more watts and the head to overcome fatigue and to take advantage of the freedom and flexibility of the route.

Today’s stage was the perfect example of the importance of each of these factors. On one side: Andrey Amador and Luis León Sánchez, two riders with a lot of carat and who do not risk so much in their strategies given their inexperience in mountain biking. On the other, Fran Herrero, who has excellent legs, but always tries to take advantage of his Titan World Series history to stand out.

In day 5, second sector of the marathon stage, the route was again classic and pure desert. Short cuts, a lot of flat and very rolling terrain. Five riders quickly stood out in the lead. The five protagonists of the Škoda Titan Desert Morocco 2025: ‘Luisle’, Amador, Herrero, Luis Ángel Maté and Noel Martín.

While the Flyz team riders tried short cuts and navigation that kept them in the lead, the former World Tour riders focused on following the track and pushing the pace.

It wasn’t until the last 15 kilometers that the legs of the Costa Rican and the Spaniard tipped the balance. A bad decision to leave the track of their rivals and the hellish pace they set allowed them to arrive alone in a close sprint.

Luisle’ won there. Second straight stage victory for the Kosner Saltoki Home rider. Amador widens his gap and it seems that the victory will not escape him, thanks to the more than 12 minutes he has over Herrero.

Pili Fernandez’s lead also seems to be secure. Four out of five stage wins for the Madrid-born rider and a good handful of minutes ahead of Annabel Fisher, her immediate pursuer. 

Except for that third stage in which the British rider became stronger, the rest has been a monologue of the KH7 rider. Today, on a very hot and demanding day, Fernandez did not want to improvise and, feeling stronger, she just followed the marked route. 

Thus, she arrived at the finish line exultant and excited, although cautious. Aware of the difficulty and complexity of this event. Anything can happen in the Škoda Titan Desert Morocco, but everything seems aimed at the victory of ‘Pili’.