Daily Overview
• Daniel Sanders, winner of the prologue and the first two rally stages, successfully navigated the challenging 48 HR Chrono stage. Although he extended his overall lead only slightly, he now holds a 12’36” advantage over Skyler Howes and a 12’40” lead over Ross Branch, who completes the provisional podium.
• The top positions in the bike category remain dominated by Honda riders, with Howes, Tosha Schareina (4th), Ricky Brabec (5th), and Adrien Van Beveren (6th) all securing spots in the top six.
• Yazeed Al Rajhi, who faced significant setbacks during the 48 HR Chrono stage in 2024, initially believed he had set the best cumulative time over two days. However, Rokas Baciuška, after being credited for time lost due to a refueling issue, claimed his first-ever stage victory at just 25 years old. Despite this, Al Rajhi remains a fierce contender at the front of the race. Henk Lategan, who impressed during the prologue, performed consistently and now leads the general rankings thanks to his second-place finish. Nasser Al-Attiyah, still a major threat despite receiving a 4-minute speeding penalty, currently sits in third place overall.
• The Bisha stage posed significant challenges for Sébastien Loeb, who managed to regain time on the second day but still trails the leader by 13’08”. Carlos Sainz faced even greater misfortune, losing 1 hour and 28 minutes after rolling his car during stage 2A. Though he reached the finish line, damage to the roll bar ultimately forced him to retire from the rally prematurely.
• Dutch rider Paul Spierings, not considered among the favorites, delivered a surprising performance on the 48 HR Chrono stage. He narrowly edged out Nicolás Cavigliasso, who missed a stage victory by just 2 seconds but still maintains his lead in the general classification.
• In the SSV category, Polaris vehicles are asserting dominance. Brock Heger added a stage win to his prologue victory, while Xavier de Soultrait triumphed in the first stage. The two now occupy the top spots in the general standings, with de Soultrait holding a commanding lead of over an hour ahead of third-placed Alexandre Pinto.
• In the truck division, a trio of contenders emerged from the 48 HR Chrono stage: Martin Macík, Aleš Loprais, and Vaidotas Žala finished in that order. They have established a comfortable gap over Mitchel van den Brink, who currently sits in fourth place, trailing by 1 hour and 16 minutes.
End of the Road
Though he’s more accustomed to leaving his rivals in his dust than eating it himself, four-time Dakar winner and defending champion Carlos Sainz faced a harsh reality yesterday. After 327 km, his car rolled onto its roof in a dramatic accident. While ‘El Matador’ emerged mostly unscathed, his Ford Raptor bore the brunt of the mishap, stripped of most of its bodywork and windshield. Despite the damage, the Sainz-Cruz duo pressed on, navigating the remaining 640 km with determination.
However, upon reaching Bisha, Sainz found himself trailing the new rally leader by 1 hour and 35 minutes. After an inspection by M-Sport and the FIA, it was concluded that his vehicle could no longer guarantee his safety, forcing him to retire and relinquish his crown.
This setback followed the premature exits of Laia Sanz (after a double roll) and Cristina Gutiérrez and Nani Roma, who were also forced to abandon the special stage. While Gutiérrez and Roma will resume the race with penalties of 48 and 52 hours respectively, Spanish hopes for a Dakar victory have taken a heavy blow.
Yet, there’s a glimmer of optimism in Sainz’s history. On the two previous occasions he failed to finish the Dakar, he returned to triumph: in 2022 with Peugeot and in 2024 with Audi. For Spanish rally fans, 2026 can’t come soon enough.
Performance of the day
Meanwhile, the Dakar remains a stage for the unexpected—something Rokas Baciuška knows all too well. In the 2023 edition, he experienced heartbreak when Eryk Goczał capitalized on his mechanical failure just one stage before the finish, snatching victory in the SSV category.
This year, armed with three consecutive W2RC titles, the young Lithuanian has stepped up to the Ultimate class—his biggest challenge yet. However, his campaign got off to a rocky start. Overenthusiastic in the first stage, Baciuška veered off track, tearing a rear wheel off his Hilux.
But resilience defines champions. Starting 38th in the 48 HR Chrono, Baciuška channeled his determination and unleashed his four-wheeled ‘firebolt.’ After two days and nearly 1,000 kilometers, he clinched a stage victory in the rally’s premier category.
His triumph reflects a growing trend in the 47th Dakar Rally: the rise of young talent. With names like Seth Quintero (22), Saood Variawa (19), Corbin Leavertone (24), and Mitchel van den Brink (23) shining brightly, the torch is clearly passing to a new generation.
At 25 years old, Baciuška may not be the youngest contender, but he’s already proving to be a guiding figure—a ‘big brother’ among the rising stars of the Dakar.
The Next Generation Ahead of Dakar 2026
As one chapter closes, another begins for the participants of the inaugural Saudi Next Gen program. Two crews received life-changing news at the end of the event: Hamza Bakhashab (21) and Abdullah Alsheqawi (27), alongside their co-pilots Raed Alassaf and Fahad Alamr, have earned their spots in the 2026 Dakar Rally.
After five days of intensive tests, competitions, and training—during which the young talents showcased their skills—Eduardo Mossi, in collaboration with A.S.O., the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation (SAMF), and the Saudi Ministry of Sports (SMC), selected the two most promising teams.
“I was truly impressed by these young drivers,” said the Italian former driver. “They remind me of the determination I had at their age. I’m especially thrilled that two competitors, who were equally deserving, will now have the chance to pursue their Dakar dream. Hamza and Abdullah have distinct personalities and driving styles, but both demonstrate immense potential that deserves to be realized.”
Over the next year, the two winning teams will undergo intensive preparation across the four rounds of the Saudi Championship, where they’ll continue to hone their skills. They might also cross paths with some of their fellow academy participants, including Fahad Al Marmash and female competitors Fatma Banaz and Merehin Albaz, who delivered strong performances and left a lasting impression.
The world of rally-raid racing demands patience and perseverance, and for these rising stars, the journey to Dakar 2026 has only just begun.
Dakar Classic
The 5th edition of the Dakar Classic has become a stage for passionate enthusiasts and seasoned specialists alike. While some crews are laser-focused on victory, four teams have chosen to participate purely for the love of the adventure and the emotional connection to the rally’s rich history.
Leading this spirited contingent are the Dutch team, headed by Erik van Loon, a former Dakar competitor who notably secured 4th place in 2015. This time, Van Loon and his crew have entered vehicles in the exclusive H4 category—a class reserved for the fastest and most modern classic vehicles. Within this category, they’ve sparked a race within a race—one fueled by pure enjoyment and camaraderie.
Adding to the nostalgia are the Audi Quattro replicas modeled after the iconic cars entered in the 1985 Dakar Rally. Piloted by skilled drivers Bernard Darniche and Xavier Lapeyre, these machines are based on the legendary 600-horsepower WRC Group B models. For this event, the Dakar versions have been fine-tuned to deliver 500 horsepower, paired with an impressive 1,350 kg lightweight frame.
This heartfelt tribute to Audi comes on the heels of their historic 2024 Dakar Rally victory, marking the brand’s first-ever title in the event. These machines aren’t just racing—they’re celebrating a legacy that continues to inspire generations of motorsport enthusiasts.
The RacerViews info
By Matt Hancock
We are passionate, dedicated motorsport professionals.
In 2025 you will see us trackside and stageside with exclusive coverage of
- The World Endurance Championship
- The World Rally Championship
- Belgian Rally Championship
- British GT
- British Rallycross
- and more!
We aim to bring you interviews and photos you won’t see anywhere else. We don’t aim to break the news, rather we aim to bring the voices of the racers to you and the atmosphere of the event to you at home. Our social media presence on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube bring you more, a holistic experience. We partner with racers and professionals in the industry and give back where we can. If we can help you or you have a story to share, please contact us.
