Maté and Kortekaas Conquer the Sands: Winners of the 2026 Škoda Titan Desert Morocco

In a grueling test of endurance, navigation, and mental fortitude, Luis Ángel Maté and Tessa Kortekaas have emerged as the champions of the 2026 Škoda Titan Desert Morocco. The event, which spanned 589 kilometers over six days and featured more than 6,000 meters of elevation gain, pushed nearly 500 cyclists through a punishing landscape of dunes, mountains, and unmarked desert tracks.

For Maté, known in the cycling world as El Lince (The Lynx), the victory represents a profound return to the roots of the sport. The 42-year-old Andalusian rider, competing for team KH7, established his dominance early in the race. Maté seized control during the first mountain stage in Boumalne Dades, where he secured a decisive solo victory over a 98-kilometer course with 2,175 meters of climbing, opening a gap of more than seven minutes in the general classification.

Despite the triumph, the final stages were not without hardship. Maté crossed the finish line of the general classification visibly pained following a crash that injured his shoulder. Reflecting on the experience, Maté contrasted the raw nature of the desert with his time in professional road cycling, specifically his recent four-year tenure with the Euskaltel team under Jorge Azanza.

I enjoyed it immensely, but I have to say that in the Euskaltel team I enjoyed cycling a lot. The last four years were wonderful… But this is another level. This is a return to the origins of cycling, forgetting the absurd technicalization that exists. Luis Ángel Maté, General Classification Winner

Even as Maté dominated the men’s field, Tessa Kortekaas delivered a historic performance in the women’s category. Riding for Massi ISB Cycling Inverse, the Dutch rider—who resides in Lanzarote—not only secured the overall title but did so with unprecedented dominance, claiming five stage victories in five stages.

The emotional weight of the victory was evident as Kortekaas crossed the final line in tears. For the athlete, the win was as much about mental recovery as it was about physical prowess. She revealed that the latter half of the previous season had been marred by motivation struggles and poor results, leading her to end that season early to reset, and rebuild.

Kortekaas’ performance set recent benchmarks for women in the event; her third-place finish in the final stage and her seventh-place finish in the overall standings (across both genders) mark the best results in the history of the competition for a female rider.

The Final Stage: A Tactical Gamble and a Dream Realized

The closing stage of the 2026 edition provided a dramatic micro-narrative of teamwork and sportsmanship. Josep Termens, too of team Massi, acted as a guide and protector for Kortekaas throughout the race. In a pivotal moment during the final stage, Termens convinced Kortekaas to take a shortcut—a move she initially questioned, wondering what there was to gain from such a risk.

The gamble paid off. Termens, Kortekaas, and Jonathan Castroviejo—a debutant in the desert and former pro with Ineos and Movistar—broke away together. As the group approached the final kilometer, the pace intensified. Castroviejo’s speed eventually dropped Kortekaas from the lead group, leaving the two men to battle for the stage win.

In a gesture of camaraderie, Castroviejo did not contest the victory, allowing Termens to take the win. For Termens, it was a crowning achievement after 13 previous attempts to win a stage in the Titan Desert.

Castroviejo, who entered the race primarily for enjoyment, noted that Termens was more excited about the victory, choosing to let his companion claim the glory.

2026 Škoda Titan Desert Morocco: Key Stats

The 2026 edition reinforces the Titan Desert’s reputation as one of the most demanding ultra-cycling events in the world. By stripping away the absurd technicalization of modern professional racing, the event forces riders to rely on basic navigation and raw endurance.

With the 2026 Morocco event concluded, the cycling community now looks toward the next checkpoints in the Titan World Series. Official final timings and full rankings are available via the official Titan Desert Morocco classifications.

Did the tactical shortcut change the outcome of the final stage? Share your thoughts on the 2026 results in the comments below.