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The 2010 Tuareg rally has been won in convincing style by Gnosall’s Mick Tomkinson, The rally which starts and finishes in Mojacar, Spain and includes 7 days and 2500km of off road competition in Morocco attracted an international entry of around 200 bikes, and 30 cars. Mick won the premier in the Motorcycle Profi group which had over 160 entrants this year

Mick, who was again riding a 450 KTM for a 4th time in this event, lead day one with an one minute advantage over Italy’s Andrea Tronconi after the 400km Nador to Missor stage. Slovenia’s Miran Stanovnik mounted on a KTM 690 took an 9 minute advantage into day 3 over Tomkinson, who dropped to 5th, after a great ride on the Missor to Mersouga leg.

Day 3, which comprises a mix of 3 sets of dunes together with rough desert tracks, saw Tomkinson’s KTM 450 back in the lead with a 6 minute advantage over Thomas Kleinwachter of Germany. Stanovnik’s challenge for the win was effectively ended when he missed two checks late in the day.

Day 4’s King stage proved to be the decisive day. The day is based in the dunes of Erg Chebi. Mick extend his lead to 28 minutes from Martin Fontyn of Belgium, as Kleinwachter slipped to 3rd , a further 10 minutes adrift. Only 53 bikes finished the course, a record high for the event. Day 5, the dune race, saw Tomkinson extent his advantage over Fontyn’s KTM 530 to 33 minutes, with Kleinwachter cutting the gap to second to only 1 minute.

Day 6 has the field making the gruelling 500km trek north, leaving the dunes of Mersouga behind again staying overnight in Missor, It is known as the day of dead engines and includes some of the most demanding tracks of the rally. Mick maintained his advantage of 30 minutes over the rest of the field.

Day 7 saw Kleinwachter passed Fontyn on the 7th day to hold 2nd, a remarkable ride for considering his 525 Beta only had 5th and 6th gears! Mick held his cool as the weather worsened to maintain his advantage, finishing the day at the port of Nador riding with his team mates.

Day 8 saw the event back in Spain and the competition close with a 2 km sprint which fittingly had the top 4 riders cross the line together to the applause of their fellow competitors. Mick was presented with two magnificent trophies and a bottle of champagne at the celebration event that evening.

Only 18 bikes completed the event without penalties, this included Tomkinson, and his team mates Northamptonshire based Wes Beane and rally first timer Pete Sonley from Witney, Oxon.