Al-ʿUla isn’t just a pitstop—it’s a breathtaking journey through time. Visitors flock here to witness prehistoric marvels and the iconic Nabataean temples, standing as timeless testaments to a civilization that flourished across what is now Jordan. While luxury travelers unwind in eco-conscious high-end resorts, the Dakar competitors face an entirely different night under the stars, camped in traditional Berber tents after 415 grueling kilometers of racing. Their day was a blend of adrenaline and grit—navigating winding canyons, scaling rocky plateaus, and tearing across endless sandy plains. By day’s end, Daniel Sanders and Yazeed Al Rajhi emerged with a crucial morale boost heading into the marathon stage’s second act.
OVERVIEW
- Mason Klein’s Rapid Charge: The Kove rider and former stage winner in Al-ʿUla with KTM blazed his way across the ancient landscapes. Meanwhile, Spaniard Tosha Schareina opted for a tactical slowdown towards the end, clearing the way for Daniel Sanders to secure his fourth stage victory this year.
- Leaderboard Shake-Up: Sanders and Schareina now lead the standings after a costly navigational error by the trio opening the road. Ross Branch sits 26 minutes behind, followed closely by Skyler Howes at 27 minutes and defending champ Ricky Brabec at 29.
- Drivers’ Battle: Saudi Arabia’s Yazeed Al Rajhi delivered a powerhouse performance, claiming victory by nearly five minutes over teammate Henk Lategan. Lategan still holds the overall lead with a 6-minute cushion over Al Rajhi, while Mattias Ekström sits third, trailing by 21 minutes.
- Nasser Al Attiyah’s Misfortune: The five-time Dakar winner couldn’t escape trouble, losing 33 minutes due to mechanical issues. He’s now seventh overall, almost 36 minutes behind leader Lategan. Yet, Al Attiyah remains determined: “We’ll have to adapt. My only option is to attack.”
- Sara Price’s Comeback: Despite earlier setbacks, Price delivered a flawless performance, outpacing teammate Chaleco López. Polaris faced mixed fortunes—Brock Heger maintained his overall lead, but Xavier de Soultrait’s mechanical woes caused a dramatic drop in standings.
- Nicolás Cavigliasso’s Streak: The Argentine rider claimed his third stage win, extending his overall lead to 25 minutes over Corbin Leaverton.
- Truck Dominance: Martin Macík, the reigning champion, secured his third consecutive stage win, widening his lead over Aleš Loprais to 45 minutes.
PERSON OF INTEREST: Mathieu Serradori continues to defy expectations. Known for his breakthrough win in 2020 with a two-wheel drive buggy, Serradori has since evolved his approach, switching to a robust 4×4 this season. Today, he climbed from seventh to fourth in the general standings, just 9 minutes shy of third-place Ekström. Supported by teammate Loïc Minaudier, Serradori delivered a flawless final stretch, arriving at the bivouac in sixth place and positioning himself for another strong showing in the next stage.
A BAD DAY AT THE OFFICE: With Carlos Sainz and Sébastien Loeb out of contention, Nasser Al Attiyah looked poised to capitalize. However, disaster struck with a broken rear-right steering joint, costing him precious time. Thanks to quick thinking from Cristina Gutiérrez and co-driver Pablo Moreno, he avoided outright elimination. Now trailing by over 35 minutes, Al Attiyah is preparing to mount a fierce comeback.
DAKAR CLASSIC: Lorenzo Traglio carries the legacy of Tecnosport, founded by his father Maurizio in the 1980s. Known for their iconic red Nissans, the Italian team now dominates the Dakar Classic. Traglio, alongside veteran Rudy Briani, aims to deliver an emotional victory, potentially making Italy only the third nation to claim the Classic crown after France and Spain.
WORLD RALLY-RAID CHAMPIONSHIP: Loeb Still in the Fight! Despite an early exit from the Dakar after damaging his roll cage, Sébastien Loeb remains mathematically in the race for the FIA title. With up to 235 points still up for grabs across the remaining rounds, Loeb has his sights set on redemption, proving that even a zero score in Saudi Arabia isn’t the end of his championship dreams.
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