
The Dunes Await, but the Fog Had Other Plans
Dunes and fog? Not exactly a winning combination when Dakar competitors are revving up for a stage. This morning, the Empty Quarter was cloaked in dense mist, grounding the helicopters and delaying the start of the special. With visibility at a minimum, riders pushed for a shortened route, and organizers agreed—trimming it to 152 km instead of the original 308.
This adjustment played right into the hands of Daniel Sanders, the beekeeper-turned-racer who now finds himself in a prime position ahead of the final stage. For the top cars, however, the full 276 km of dunes and high-speed chotts remained intact. Yazeed Al Rajhi took full advantage, reclaiming the overall lead from Henk Lategan, while Mattias Ekström tightened his grip on the third spot.
The Key Moves of the Day
Schareina’s Charge – On a stage sliced in half, Tosha Schareina made every second count, clawing back 7 minutes and 31 seconds from Daniel Sanders. However, with just 61 km left in the rally and a grouped start looming, dethroning the Aussie leader may be a long shot.
Ekström & Ford Continue to Shine – After Nani Roma’s milestone win for Ford yesterday, Mattias Ekström kept the momentum going with a stage victory in his Raptor. The Swede is inching toward his first Ultimate class podium. Meanwhile, Nasser Al Attiyah fought hard, finishing second on the day but still trailing by over four minutes in the overall standings.
Al Rajhi’s Timely Takeover – Just when it mattered most, Yazeed Al Rajhi delivered a masterclass in dune driving, overtaking Henk Lategan and seizing back the rally lead. Lategan struggled, finishing 6 minutes and 11 seconds behind his Saudi rival.
Saudi Success Continues – Yasir Seaidan grabbed his third stage win, but the overall crown remains firmly in Nicolás Cavigliasso’s grasp, as he holds a commanding 1-hour-11-minute lead over his nearest challenger, Gonçalo Guerreiro.
Macík Unstoppable in Trucks – Martin Macík bagged his fourth stage win, pushing his overall lead to nearly 2.5 hours. With that cushion, he could afford to slow down significantly on the final day and still claim victory. Behind him, however, the battle for second rages on, with Mitchel van den Brink holding just a 5-minute-30-second edge over Aleš Loprais.
Sara Price’s Second Victory – The American racer celebrated another stage win, this time beating her Can-Am teammate “Chaleco” Lopez. While her triumph won’t shake up the overall rankings, it’s another feather in her cap. Meanwhile, Xavier de Soultrait saw his podium hopes collapse as mechanical issues sent him tumbling down the standings.

De Soultrait’s Dreams Dashed
Xavier de Soultrait started strong, leading the SSV category early in the rally. Even after battling mechanical issues en route to the marathon bivouac, he clung to second place, trailing only teammate Brock Heger. A one-two finish seemed within reach.
But Dakar has a cruel sense of timing. Today, his Polaris RZR’s front-end assembly failed to handle the dunes in two-wheel drive, forcing him out of the special and onto the bivouac via the road. The result? A massive penalty and a catastrophic fall in the standings. His dream of a top finish? Gone in an instant.

STAT OF THE DAY: 121
Tosha Schareina hadn’t won a Dakar stage since the prologue of the 2024 edition. Today, in the vast desert of the Empty Quarter, he finally broke that drought, securing his second career stage victory—and marking the 121st stage win for Spain in the bike category.
That’s a staggering 18% of all bike stage victories in Dakar history. At 29 years old, Schareina still has plenty of time to carve his name alongside Spanish legends like Joan Barreda (29 wins), Jordi Arcarons (27), and Marc Coma (24). Of those, only Coma ever lifted the Tuareg Trophy. Could Schareina be the next? With just one stage remaining, he’s nine minutes behind leader Daniel Sanders. The dream is alive.
Henk Lategan: “I’ve never been a sand or dune expert”
“We were a little too far ahead on the road, finishing right behind the opener. Honestly, there wasn’t much more we could do today. I tried my best, but we ended up searching for tracks and opening some of the way ourselves. Sand and dunes have never been my specialty, but hey, we made it through, and the car is still in one piece. One more short day, and we’ll be at the finish. It’s been an amazing Dakar—some highs, some lows. Some things worked out, others didn’t. But overall, I’m happy with how it’s gone. One more day to go!
Ekström’s Calm, Calculated Charge
Mattias Ekström has been the quiet assassin of this Dakar, proving once again he has what it takes to be a frontrunner. Back in 2022, he was Audi’s top finisher in 9th place, already with a stage win under his belt. This year, behind the wheel of the Ford Raptor, he’s been lurking in the shadows, waiting for his moment.
That moment arrived today in Shubaytah. Needing to defend his podium spot against a relentless Nasser Al Attiyah, Ekström delivered under pressure, securing his third career Dakar stage win—and his first of the year. With the finish line in sight, he remains cool, composed, and in control.

Al Rajhi on the Brink of a Historic Double
If Yazeed Al Rajhi secures victory tomorrow, it won’t just be his first Dakar triumph—it’ll also mark the first time he leads the W2RC championship standings.
Until now, that position has been dominated by Nasser Al Attiyah, with only Sébastien Loeb and Carlos Sainz ever managing to dethrone him, however briefly. Now, Al Rajhi is poised to join that exclusive club, battling the three-time world champion for the title. A historic moment for the Saudi driver is just one stage away.
One Final Test in the Sands
With delays disrupting the Dakar Classic schedule, only one key navigation challenge remained today. It was a chance for Belgian Dirk van Rompuy to shine, and he delivered a flawless performance in his HDJ 80. Meanwhile, title contenders Carlos Santaolalla and Lorenzo Traglio canceled each other out—both missing a waypoint.
Tomorrow, just one last navigation test remains. The Classic title is still in Santaolalla’s hands, but as in the rally’s early days, precision—not speed—will decide the champion. A single wrong turn could tip the scales. The 2025 Dakar Classic is heading for a dramatic finish, just like the good old days of compass-led adventure.

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By Matt Hancock
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