The Titan Desert isn’t just a race—it’s a full-contact lesson in humility. For three journalists from Spain’s El Correo, the 2026 edition’s opening stage in Morocco’s Atlas Mountains delivered that lesson with brutal efficiency: a lost race bib, a descent so steep it earned the nickname “the vertical sidewalk,” and a landscape so unexpectedly green it looked like Ireland after weeks of unseasonal rain.

What Happened: A Stage of Two Halves

The first stage of the Titan Desert (officially the Titan Desert Morocco) covered 102 kilometers from Ouarzazate to the Berber village of Taznakht, with 1,800 meters of elevation gain. For the El Correo team—reporter Iker Azurmendi, photographer Javier Etxezarreta, and videographer Unai Beroiz—the day began with a logistical nightmare: Azurmendi’s race bib went missing during registration, a critical oversight that could have disqualified him before the start. After a frantic 30-minute search through the pre-dawn chaos of the Ouarzazate bivouac, the bib turned up—tucked inside a teammate’s hydration pack.

“We were one wrong move away from starting the race without a number,” Azurmendi told Archysport. “In a race like this, that’s not just embarrassing—it’s dangerous. No bib, no tracking, no safety net.”

The stage itself unfolded in two distinct acts. The first 60 kilometers were a grueling climb through the High Atlas, with loose gravel and switchbacks that tested even the most experienced riders. But it was the final 40 kilometers—particularly the descent into Taznakht—that became the day’s defining challenge. Recent heavy rains (including the deadly floods in Safi earlier this month) had left the trails slick and unstable, turning what should have been a swift downhill into a white-knuckle exercise in controlled skidding.

“The descent was like riding a bike down a staircase. You could either brake and risk flipping, or let gravity take over and hope for the best.”

Javier Etxezarreta, El Correo

Etxezarreta’s description isn’t hyperbole. The Titan Desert’s routes are notoriously technical, but this year’s conditions—combined with the race’s decision to keep the course unchanged—amplified the danger. At least three riders were treated for injuries after crashes on the descent, including a broken collarbone for Spanish veteran Jordi Tarrés, a seven-time finisher of the race.

Why It Matters: Journalists as Racers

The El Correo team isn’t here to compete for podiums. Their mission is to document the race from the inside, riding the same course as the pros even as filing stories, photos, and videos in real time. It’s a rare perspective in endurance sports journalism, where most coverage comes from the sidelines or via official race feeds. But their struggles on Stage 1 highlight a critical truth about the Titan Desert: this race doesn’t care who you are or why you’re here. A lost bib, a misjudged turn, or a moment of hesitation on a descent can derail even the most prepared rider.

“We’re not here to win, but we still have to finish,” Beroiz said. “If we don’t, we don’t receive the story. And if we get hurt, we don’t get the story either.”

For the pros, the stakes are even higher. The Titan Desert is a UCI-sanctioned event (the first stage counted toward the UCI Mountain Bike Marathon World Series), and this year’s field includes former world champions like Christoph Sauser (Switzerland) and Sally Bigham (UK). But for the El Correo team, the race is a proving ground for a different kind of endurance: can journalism keep up with the physical demands of the world’s toughest mountain bike race?

The Green Atlas: A Race Transformed by Rain

The most striking difference in this year’s Titan Desert? The color. Typically, the Atlas Mountains in late April are a palette of browns and ochres, the arid landscape offering little respite from the sun. But weeks of unseasonal rain—including the catastrophic floods in Safi that killed 37 people in December—have turned the region lush. Wildflowers dot the hillsides, and the trails, usually dusty and predictable, are now slick with mud and loose rock.

“It’s beautiful, but it’s also dangerous,” said race director Jaime Alguersuari. “We’ve had to adjust aid station locations and warn riders about hidden washouts. The rain has changed everything.”

For the El Correo team, the greenery added an unexpected layer of complexity. Their bikes, optimized for dry conditions, struggled with the sudden shift. “We’re used to fighting dust and heat,” Azurmendi said. “Now we’re fighting mud, and cold. It’s a different kind of suffering.”

Key Moments from Stage 1

• 06:45 AM: The El Correo team discovers Azurmendi’s missing bib, sparking a frantic search through the bivouac. Found at 07:10 AM—just 20 minutes before the start.
• 09:30 AM: First major climb of the day, a 12-kilometer ascent with grades up to 12%. The team’s support vehicle gets stuck in loose gravel, forcing them to carry extra water for the next 30 kilometers.
• 12:15 PM: The infamous “vertical sidewalk” descent begins. Etxezarreta’s rear tire loses traction on a wet rock, sending him into a skid. He recovers but loses five minutes.
• 03:45 PM: The team crosses the finish line in Taznakht, 3 hours and 22 minutes after the stage winner, Josep Betalú (Spain). They’re exhausted but intact—unlike Tarrés, who was airlifted to a hospital in Ouarzazate.

What’s Next: Stage 2 and the Sahara’s Edge

Stage 2 (April 28) covers 128 kilometers from Taznakht to Foum Zguid, marking the race’s transition from the mountains to the Sahara Desert. The stage includes a 40-kilometer stretch of erg (sand dunes), where navigation will be critical. For the El Correo team, the goal is simple: finish, file, and don’t crash.

“We’re not here to break records,” Beroiz said. “We’re here to advise the story of this race—and to survive it.”

Key Takeaways

• The Titan Desert is unforgiving: A lost bib, a slick descent, or a mechanical issue can derail even the most experienced riders. Preparation is everything.
• Recent rains have transformed the race: The Atlas Mountains are greener than usual, but the trails are more dangerous due to mud and loose rock.
• Journalists face unique challenges: The El Correo team must balance racing with reporting, often under extreme conditions.
• Safety is a growing concern: With at least three riders injured on Stage 1, race organizers are under pressure to adjust course conditions.
• The Sahara looms: Stage 2’s dunes will test riders’ navigation skills and endurance in a new way.

How to Follow the Race

• Official Website: Titan Desert Morocco (live tracking, results, and stage recaps)
• Social Media:
  • Twitter: @TitanDesert
  • Instagram: @titandesert
• El Correo Coverage: Daily dispatches from the team, including photos and videos, on El Correo’s sports section.

For fans of endurance sports, the Titan Desert is a masterclass in suffering, strategy, and survival. For the journalists covering it, it’s a reminder that sometimes, the best stories arrive from the people who are just trying to make it to the finish line—one pedal stroke at a time.

What’s your take? Would you ride the Titan Desert? Share your thoughts in the comments or tag us on Twitter.