STAGE 5 - RACE TO THE FRONT: ONE AZIZA HIDES ANOTHER

Aziza RAJI won the day's stage, but it was Aziza EL AMRANY who remained in the lead of the 38th MARATHON DES SABLES LEGENDARY. Gemma GAME remains third, but her lead over Frenchwoman Rajaa HAMDAOUA is diminishing.

Aziza EL AMRANY (D7-MAR) has joined forces with Aziza RAJI (D9-MAR) for the first time since the start of the 38th LEGENDARY MARATHON DES SABLES. With her comfortable lead, there was no point in her running to the maximum of her abilities, even more so after her bout of heat yesterday. In the end, it was Aziza RAJI who came out on top, a first for this 38th edition. Both were around 60th overall, an unusual position for Aziza EL AMRANY since the start of the race, more used to the Top 20.

IN THE TOP 10

Gemma GAME (D204-GBR) eased off a little on stage four, but retained her third place overall.

Rajaa HAMDAOUA (D576-FRA) confirmed her fourth place with a fifth stage run at just 9 kph, a very good build-up for this French rider who is new to the MDS LEGENDARY.

Amélie GINTER (D8-FRA), after a difficult marathon stage yesterday, came back strongly today, finishing 6th and consolidating her 8th place overall.

Laurence KLEIN (D160-FRA) also put in a fine performance, finishing 8th on the day, but unfortunately that didn't allow her to move up in the rankings (21st).

Tomorrow's stage will be a rolling 21.1km. The gaps in the Top 10 are considerable, but the MARATHON DES SABLES LEGENDARY is never decided until the final stage banner has been crossed.

CLASSIFICATION STAGE 5

OVERALL CLASSIFICATION AFTER STAGE 5

*Provisional rankings