Dakar 2025: Stage 6: HAIL > AL DUWADIMI: A Stage to Remember

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#205 BOTTERILL Guy Dvid (zaf), MURPHY Dennis (zaf), Toyota, Toyota Gazoo Racing, Ultimate, action during the Stage 6 of the Dakar 2025 on January 11, 2025 between Hail and Al Duwadimi, Saudi Arabia A.S.O./F.Gooden/DPPI

The Dakar Showdown: A Stage to Remember

If the Dakar were a movie, this stage would have been its blockbuster trailer—a vivid spectacle previewing the highs and lows of the 2025 edition. The Saudi deserts played host to an epic clash of grit, speed, and precision, where champions rose, dreams crumbled, and the sands themselves seemed to shape the story.

This 606 km odyssey, the longest stage of the rally, offered a dual experience: adrenaline-pumping fast plateaus that saw Ross Branch and Guerlain Chicherit bow out of contention, followed by punishing rocky terrain. A well-timed transfer split the stage in two, leading the rally into its second week—a battleground of dunes in shades of white and saffron, shimmering like treasures under the desert sun.

Success in this maze required sharp wits and unyielding focus. Adrien Van Beveren proved himself a master navigator, chasing his Honda teammate Ricky Brabec to claim a well-earned second place in the motorbike stage. Meanwhile, Guillaume de Mévius roared back to life, taking a stage win in Al Duwadimi and breaking Toyota’s iron grip on the car category.

Stage Highlights: Triumphs and Heartbreaks

  • Ricky Brabec’s Dominance
    The reigning champion reminded everyone why he’s the man to beat. Securing his 11th career stage win by just 23 seconds over Adrien Van Beveren, Brabec moved up two spots to fourth overall. Van Beveren, meanwhile, kept his title hopes alive, tightening his hold on third place and trailing leader Daniel Sanders by just 1′11″.
  • Shock Exits
    Botswana’s Ross Branch and South Africa’s Bradley Cox, two of Africa’s top rally stars, were forced out. Branch crashed at km 84, while Cox’s rally ended after a fall almost immediately after the start. Their departures leave a glaring gap in the competition and shake up the W2RC standings.
  • Guillaume de Mévius Ends Toyota’s Streak
    The first special of Week 2 rewrote the script. For the first time, Toyota Hilux failed to land on the podium. Guillaume de Mévius, driving a Mini, shattered Toyota’s dominance and claimed the stage, followed by teammate João Ferreira and a determined Nasser Al Attiyah, who continued his uphill battle to claw back time.
  • Other Standouts
    Yasir Seaidan claimed back-to-back wins in Challenger, but Nicolás Cavigliasso still holds a commanding overall lead. In SSV, “Chaleco” López snatched his third stage win, though Brock Heger remains firmly in control with a 1 h 07′ lead. On the truck stage, Mitchel van den Brink edged closer to Martin Macík with a solid victory, though Macík’s overall lead remains secure—for now.
#201 AL RAJHI Yazeed (sau), GOTTSCHALK Timo (ger), Toyota, Yazeed Racing, Overdrive Racing, FIA W2RC, Ultimate, action during the Stage 6 of the Dakar 2025 on January 11, 2025 between Hail and Al Duwadimi, Saudi Arabia A.S.O./F.Le Floc’h/DPPI

Performance of the Day: De Mévius Strikes Back

Guillaume de Mévius, the dark horse of this year’s Dakar, delivered a stage-winning performance that sent shockwaves through the competition. Starting 12th, he unleashed the full power of his Mini to conquer the desert, finishing 1′34″ ahead of teammate João Ferreira. This triumph wasn’t just about the win; it was about ending Toyota’s unbeaten streak and proving that the Mini still has what it takes to compete at the highest level.

Though de Mévius sits 14th overall, over 3 h 43′ behind leader Henk Lategan, his relentless determination and raw speed signal that he’s far from done.

#88 GELAZNINKAS Arenas (ltu), Hoto, Hoto Factory Racing Team, FIM W2RC, Rally2, action during the Stage 6 of the Dakar 2025 on January 11, 2025 between Hail and Al Duwadimi, Saudi Arabia A.S.O./J.Lindini

A Harsh Reality for Chicherit

Guerlain Chicherit is no stranger to high stakes and daring feats, but the rally’s brutal unpredictability struck again. Just 16 km into the special, his Mini flipped in a high-speed section, forcing a dramatic helicopter evacuation for him and co-driver Alexandre Winocq. Chicherit’s Dakar campaign came to an abrupt end, marking his fifth withdrawal in 14 starts—a stark reminder of the fine line between triumph and tragedy.

#600 MACIK Martin (cze), TOMASEK Frantisek (cze), SVANDA David (cze), Iveco, MM Technology, Trucks, action during the Stage 6 of the Dakar 2025 on January 11, 2025 between Hail and Al Duwadimi, Saudi Arabia A.S.O./A.Vincent/DPPI

The Stats: Brabec’s Historic Win

Ricky Brabec’s 11th stage victory placed him alongside “Chaleco” López as the most decorated Pan-American motorbike rider in Dakar history. Since breaking through in 2017, Brabec has collected every win aboard his trusty Honda. This milestone solidifies his legacy while serving as a testament to his resilience after an injury-plagued year.

 

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#228 GUTHRIE Mitch (usa), WALCH Kellon (usa), Ford, Ford M-Sport, Ultimate, action during the Stage 6 of the Dakar 2025 on January 11, 2025 between Hail and Al Duwadimi, Saudi Arabia A.S.O./F.Gooden/DPPI