
Focus on Haradh: A Day of High Stakes and Strategic Wins in the Dakar Rally
Haradh, nestled deep in Saudi Arabia’s vast Eastern Province, saw the Dakar caravan rush through its rugged terrain today. As the vehicles sped across 357 km, navigating the maze of tracks required intense focus from the drivers and riders. The clock was ticking, and speed, paired with precise navigation, was essential for success.
Among the day’s standout performances, Luciano Benavides soared to his second consecutive stage win, showcasing his exceptional navigation skills. He opened the stage alone from start to finish, marking a monumental moment in his Dakar career with his 5th stage victory and propelling him to his best-ever overall position—4th place. Meanwhile, Nasser Al Attiyah, no stranger to the Dakar’s high pressures, clinched his first stage win for Dacia. Though he remains a strong contender, a 25-minute gap between him and Yazeed Al Rajhi makes the title race even more thrilling.
Highlights of the Day:
- Luciano Benavides: Masterful navigation earned the Argentine rider his 5th Dakar stage win, and with it, a rise to 4th in the overall standings. He triumphed by 1’54’’ over Adrien Van Beveren, who also had a solid day, inching closer to his teammate Tosha Schareina. Daniel Sanders leads, with a 14’45’’ advantage heading into the decisive Stage 10.
- Nasser Al Attiyah: With a race title still within his sights, Al Attiyah powered through the stage with the fastest time, bringing him closer to the podium—just 31 seconds from 3rd place. The Qatari’s relentless drive signifies his unyielding determination.
- Yazeed Al Rajhi: The Saudi driver capitalized on Henk Lategan’s misfortune and punctures, taking a 7’09’’ lead into tomorrow’s Empty Quarter. His tactical mastery keeps him firmly in control of the race.
- David Zille: The Argentine’s victory in the Challenger class adds to his growing legacy, though Nicolas Cavigliasso’s steady performance still keeps him ahead in the overall rankings.
- Chaleco Lopez: The iconic Can-Am driver secured his 4th stage win, closing the gap to Xavier de Soultrait, though Brock Heger’s dominance remains a challenge with a 2-hour lead.
- Mitchel van den Brink: A hair’s breadth away from a birthday stage win, it was Ales Loprais who emerged victorious for the 3rd time this year. Despite the near miss, Martin Macik still holds a commanding 2-hour lead in the general rankings.

Performance of the Day: Could a rider win the Dakar by leading the stage from start to finish? The answer is yes—just ask Luciano Benavides. The Argentine, having opened the stage as the first rider out, crushed the 357 km special, clinching victory despite finishing 2’57’’ behind Adrien Van Beveren in pure racing time. His success was amplified by bonus time, securing him a historic win. This marks KTM’s 7th victory of the rally, reminding everyone of the Austrian brand’s enduring dominance.

A Crushing Blow: The Dakar is a race of endurance, and for Henk Lategan, the final stretch proved overwhelming. After leading the rally, the South African suffered a series of setbacks—punctures and navigational errors—that saw him finish 16 minutes behind Nasser Al Attiyah. As a result, Lategan lost the lead to Saudi teammate Yazeed Al Rajhi, whose consistent performance now gives him a 7-minute advantage.
South African fans had further cause for disappointment as Guy Botterill was forced to withdraw after a crash, bringing an end to his Dakar aspirations.
Stat of the Day: 10 out of 10: Brock Heger, the Californian rookie, has been an unstoppable force in the SSV category. Since his prologue win, he’s remained in the top three for every stage, showcasing incredible consistency. As the rally’s most consistent competitor, Heger is one to watch.
Quote of the Day: Henk Lategan summed up his turbulent day perfectly: “A messy, messy, messy day for us. It wasn’t great, but it’s not the end of the world. We’re still in it, but it’s a bit of a disappointing day.”

The Making of a Classic: The Dakar Classic has seen some remarkable performances, with Land Rover making a bold statement in its 5th edition. Maxime Gublin and Karolis Raysis led the charge, both Land Rovers sitting in the top four of the general rankings. With the upcoming arrival of the official Defender team in the Stock category, the brand’s legacy in off-road racing continues to build.

W2RC: A Historic Win for Dacia: Nasser Al Attiyah’s victory today also marked the first-ever Dakar stage win for the Dacia brand. This adds to his legacy in the W2RC, where he has claimed 48 career wins, just two shy of the record. With Sébastien Loeb hot on his heels, Al Attiyah’s dominance is set to continue.
Today’s stage was a whirlwind of triumph, heartbreak, and thrilling performances, setting the stage for a captivating final stretch in the Dakar 2025.
The RacerViews info
By Matt Hancock
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