Moroccan women to make their debut in the Škoda Titan Desert Morocco

Every year, for the Škoda Titan Desert Morocco, the Royal Moroccan Cycling Federation (FRMC) works closely with the race. Among other tasks, it provides the race with a series of permits without which one of the world’s greatest mountain biking adventures could not take place. The race is validated and recognised by the FRMC.

In addition, a group of riders compete under the auspices of this national federation. A handful of local bikers take the start of the adventure and compete in the race, demonstrating the country’s commitment to cycling.

The 2023 edition will mark a turning point in the participation of the Škoda Titan Desert Morocco. Raja Chakir and Chaima Elhamri will make history by becoming the first two Moroccan women to compete in the race in its almost 17-year history.

Both Chakir, 19, and Elhamri, 21, will compete in the elite women’s individual classification of the race, in which they will compete against another thirty or so riders who will want to take the throne left vacant by Anna Ramírez, winner of the GC in 2022.

The very young Chakir has competed in both mountain biking and road cycling, where she has excelled in time trial stages, with a podium in the African U23 championships this year 2023.

Both participants will also be part of the delegation that will wear the red and green jersey that distinguishes the cyclists who compete under the name of the Federation. They will be joined by Mohamed Zarhoun, Moussa Outtaleb, Ayoub Ifkiren and Youssef Issmaili.

In 2022, three FRMC riders (Hicham Outchadmi, Abdelkader Rhom and Youssef Allali) took the start of the race for a total of eight participants from the mother country of the Škoda Titan Desert Morocco.

The race will start on April 30th and will consist of six stages, which will finish on May 5th. A total of 630 kilometres and more than 7,000 metres of cumulative positive altitude gain over six days of pure adventure in the desert.