'Flying camel' leaves rivals standing as Elhousine Elazzaoui claims historic GTWS title

Just a day after Joyce Njeru became the first African woman to win the overall title in the Golden Trail World Series, Morocco’s Elhousine Elazzaoui became the first man as he achieved a long-held dream.

And he did it in perfect style with a masterclass of a display in the Grand Final in Ascona-Locarno, Switzerland, handling the wet conditions with ease and thriving on both the climbs and the descents.

He knew the title was his as long as Patrick Kipngeno (KEN) didn’t finish two places ahead and he bided his time in a select front group before making the decisive move on the final big climb.

That netted him not only the race win but the overall title with a perfect 1,000 points score having won three races earlier in the season and Friday’s prologue.

Here’s how Sunday’s race unfolded…

Perfect timing

Kipngeno and teammate and fellow Kenyan Philemon Kiriago have been trying to combine forces recently to get the better of Elazzaoui and had gone incredibly close before the Moroccan came out on top in sprint finishes.

And it was Kiriago who set the early pace in Sunday’s 23.5km race which featured 1,400 metres of climbing.

The big four of Kiriago, Kipngeno, Elazzaoui and Rémi Bonnet were part of a front group of five which also featured Kenyan newcomer Timothy Kibett.

Elazzaoui was content to bide his time and keep Kipngeno in his sights but then on the final climb, with its brutally steep upper slopes, he made his move as he and Bonnet surged clear.

When they crested the top they had put 15 seconds into Kipngeno and then Elazzaoui then delivered a customary exhibition descent – he’s nicknamed the ‘flying camel’ – to power clear.

He’d promised there wouldn’t be a sprint finish and was good to his word – three seconds between him and Bonnet at the top was 48 by the bottom.

There would be no closing that on the final short loop and Elazzaoui went on to claim a famous triumph as Bonnet just held off Kipngeno for second.

Kibett was a superb fourth and Kiriago fifth.

‘Dream come true’

Afterwards Elazzaoui was understandably all smiles as he said: “I’m so happy as my dream has come true. I’m proud for my family, for my country, for my fans.

“To win the Golden Trail World Series was my big objective for this season and now it’s happened – thanks to everyone who has supported me.”

Elhousine Elazzaoui wins Golden Trail World Series overall title 2024 photo credit GTWS — The 2024 champion Elhousine Elazzaoui [Photo credit: Golden Trail World Series]

And Bonnet underlined Elazzaoui’s descending skills when he said: “When Elhousine was still with me at the top of that last climb I knew it was all over for me!

“I tried my best to follow him but he was just crazy fast on the downhill. Chapeau to him because this year he was just untouchable. And I’m pleased for him because he’s a good guy and has worked hard for this – it’s a dream come true for him.”