Changing of the guard in the Skoda Titan Desert. The demanding cycling test that takes place in Moroccan lands ended this Friday with new dominators. Roberto Bou from Teruel and Tessa Kortekaas from the Netherlands were proclaimed winners after going from less to more during the competition. The two have introduced changes in their preparation and have been successful novelties. Bou (Cannondale VAS Arabay) had the Titan between his eyebrows and after climbing into the lead on Thursday he did not break down on the final day and controlled the situation by successfully completing the final stage. It was the one that united Merzouga and Maadid, where Sergio Mantecón signed his second partial victory.
At the age of 30, Bou, from Teruel born in Barcelona for his parents’ work reasons, achieved the dream of his life, a wish that he had been pursuing throughout his career. He had been second and third overall and had the highest step of the box left. This time he was able to upload it. He was flanked by classic riders Josep Betalú (KH7), second overall, and Fran Herrero (Cannondale Vas Arabay), third.
Bou was racing with the extra motivation of being able to dedicate an important victory to his grandfather, who passed away last week at the age of 102. “The memory of my grandfather and stubbornness gave me wings,” he said.
That and the training beatings he has been taking since the beginning of the season. After six years under the command of Alberto Losada, now his coach is Javier Zaonera, a coach who has taken and still takes top-level cyclists, such as Joan Bou from Euskatel-Euskadi. “This is a dream that I still can’t assume. Until the goal no one imagines what you have achieved. It is a race that I had been pursuing for many years, a very tough test, which puts you to the limit, due to the heat, the route, the navigation. Getting it in such a special year is incredible. This year I had made the bet for victory with my coach â€, Roberto Bou extended.
Meanwhile, in the female category, the Dutch Kortekaas (Kosner Saltoki Home) smiled. She was accompanied on the podium by the Namibian Vera Looser (Kosner Saltoki Home), affected by gastroenteritis, and the Spanish Ariadna Ródenas (Mondraker), winner in 2021.
Settled in Lanzarote since 2017, Kortekaas practices her profession as a masseur there.
The main change that he has made in his sports career is that he has put one of his specialties aside, such as triathlon, including the Ironman, to focus more exclusively on mountain roads. Total athlete, he also practiced skating and swimming.
In his first participation in the Titan Desert he has broken the bank. “This is incredible, I have no words. I do not know what is happening. I felt very strong and everything is a surprise. I would love to come back next year. The reward is bigger than in a triathlon and an Ironman as it is a six-day race, â€valued the winner, who was euphoric. “It’s amazing how strong I feel. If there was another stage tomorrow (for today) I would do it right nowâ€. It’s what the adrenaline rush has.
