Cooper Tire Europe has been selected as the official tyre of the Titan Desert by Garmin mountain bike marathon, which begins later this month in Morocco.

Cooper’s acclaimed Discoverer S/T MAXX tyres will be fitted on 20 support vehicles in the mountain bike marathon, which is one of the most extreme long distance races on the international calendar

The 20-strong fleet of vehicles will cover around 1,000 kilometres of demanding terrain, from stone tracks and dry river beds to soft sand dunes. Temperatures will also play a role in the six-day event, with highs of 40°C expected.

The Discoverer S/T MAXX is no stranger to such challenges, having taken Cooper Tire Europe’s 4×4 ambassador, Xavi Foj, to back-to-back Dakar Rally Production Class titles in 2012 and 2013. Widely-acknowledged as the toughest cross-country rally on earth, the Dakar demands the very best from driver, navigator and equipment.

As an extra-special touch, Foj will be a guest of honour at the event, arriving in Morocco in the Cooper-shod Toyota Land Cruiser 150 with which he contested the Dakar Rally earlier this year, when he finished third in the T2 Production Class.

Foj will accompany the Garmin fleet throughout the event, which is expected to welcome more than 400 cyclists in what is set to be the most demanding race in the event’s nine-year history.
Marketing Communications Manager for Cooper Tire Europe, Sarah McRoberts, said, “Our Discoverer S/T MAXX tyres have proven time and again that they can deal with the challenging mixed terrains of courses such as the Dakar and the Titan Desert Marathon.

“While the race is all about the cyclists, it’s extremely important for the Garmin crews to be able to follow the action over the event and, for that, they need tyres that are up to the job. We’re therefore very happy to have been selected for this event and it’s great to see Xavi getting involved as well. We wish the competitors and crew all the best in the challenge.”

The Titan Desert by Garmin 2014 Marathon will take place from 27 April to 2 May, with over 400 participants traversing more than 700 kilometres over six stages in a gruelling test of body and mind.