Stephanie Rowe shares her thoughts on racing Rally du Maroc in Bike category. Having gained experience, knowledge, and race-craft racing Enduro through to Hellas Rally earlier this year, Stephanie is ready to set her goals higher, taking on the challenges of racing 5 Stages, plus Prologue in Rally du Maroc, October 4 – 11.
Notwithstanding the fact that there are only 3 women competing in Rally 2 from 112, rider’s, Stephanie remains on the short list of rider’s who train and gain sponsorship to race while working a full-time job. As Stephanie emphasized post Hellas Rally, juggling training, setting up the bike, and making sure all equipment is technologically sound requires time, support, and budget to meet the needs of racing, Rally.
Add in the learning curves of competing in Malle Moto in Hellas – completing all bike maintenance herself – and the British rider has transitioned from Enduro racing, to Rally, to the precursor of Dakar – Rally du Maroc.
Stephanie: “‘The Hellas Rally was great and it’s a race I really enjoy. However racing in the desert is very different. The Rally du Maroc is also part of the World Championship and therefore in the top of the hardest Rallies in the world – it’s basically a mini Dakar. The stages are just as tough, it is just not quite as many days. My motivation for racing Rallye du Maroc is to follow my dream to race The Dakar Rally. Rallye du Maroc is not only a qualifier to race The Dakar but also a great rally to build my experience in racing at a high level”‘.
“‘It’s always difficult to prepare for Rallies as I’m not a professional rider and my job means I’m away a lot of the time so I don’t get to train on my bike very often. I raced The Carta Rally in March which is a 7 day Rally in Morocco. Being in Morocco it’s similar terrain and navigation to what I’ll find at this Rally. Otherwise I try to get on my enduro bike when I have some spare time which is unfortunately not very often! I keep on top of my fitness all year round as I can do circuit and strength training even if I’m away with work on the road”‘.
Heading into Stage 1 of Rally du Maroc, with Prologue completed, Stephanie has strength of mind to focus on the task at hand, breaking down the schedule step by step, to complete – liason, navigation, find way-points, followed by racing timed sections as safe as possible to arrive back at the bivouacs over the next 5 days.
Stephanie: “‘Mentally I just need to keep focused on the race taking each stage step by step. I have a tough mindset so I’m able to dig deep when the going gets tough. I personally think that a lot of managing the bike is the preparation before the race. I have spent many hours in the garage getting my bike ready and I hope my hard work will pay off. I mostly race without any assistance but I’m lucky to have a friend from LG Rally who is supporting me at this event, so he will take care of my bike at the end of each day. It will certainly be a luxury to not have to work on my bike at the end of each day!”‘
Rally du Maroc October 4 – 11. Header photo: Stephanie Rowe.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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