SCHAREINA: OH, WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN…
Marathon-refuge stages are never raced like any other, and the special that began this morning from Wadi ad Dawasir proved as unforgiving as expected. Complex navigation early on reshaped the competitive landscape, particularly for the leading contenders of recent days. Luciano Benavides’ remarkable run may not yet be over, but his hold on the overall lead has at least been temporarily broken.
The standout performer of the day was unquestionably Tosha Schareina. Displaying exceptional race intelligence, the Spaniard made the decisive call at a critical canyon split where several rivals chose incorrectly. That strategic advantage, combined with blistering pace in the closing kilometres, earned him a commanding stage victory — 6’24’’ ahead of Daniel Sanders and 6’22’’ clear of his Honda team-mate Ricky Brabec.
Despite the triumph, Schareina remains fourth overall, now just 15 minutes off the lead. It is hard not to reflect on the ten-minute penalty incurred during the first marathon stage — without it, he would be embroiled in the head-to-head duel with Sanders that many had anticipated. The reigning champion ultimately emerges as one of the day’s beneficiaries: caught in the same navigational confusion as teammate Luciano Benavides, he limited the damage more effectively.
As a result, Sanders has reclaimed the overall lead, holding a slender 6’24’’ advantage over Brabec. Yet with the second leg of the marathon-refuge stage looming — and a demanding route through tricky dunes — this margin offers little comfort. Brabec, starting just three minutes behind, will be poised to strike should opportunity arise.
A FAMILY AFFAIR FOR THE GOCZALS
Rally followers are no strangers to the Goczal family’s flair, but today marked a milestone even by their high standards. Eryk Goczal, who burst onto the Dakar scene in 2023 by winning four stages and the SSV category at just 18 years old, claimed his first-ever stage victory in the Ultimate class — a remarkable achievement in his debut season at the sport’s highest level.
True to form, the young Pole continues to speak boldly about his family’s Dakar destiny. While his father was absent from today’s stage, his uncle Michal ensured the Goczal name remained firmly in the spotlight by setting the second-fastest time on the special.
Stage 9 sent shockwaves through the overall standings, compressing gaps and reigniting long-simmering rivalries. Nani Roma returned to the top of the leaderboard for the first time since his 2014 triumph, setting the stage for a high-stakes duel between three former Dakar winners. The Catalan now leads his teammate Carlos Sainz by just 57 seconds, turning the battle into a true ‘Clásico’.
With only four stages remaining, Nasser Al-Attiyah remains a formidable threat. Though displaced from the lead, the Qatari sits just 1’10’’ behind Roma and could yet mount a decisive comeback aboard his Dacia Sandrider.
The fight for victory remains wide open, but the day also produced clear casualties. Henk Lategan salvaged fourth place — 6’13’’ off the lead — thanks to a critical power-steering repair at a service stop after 183 km, though the 14-minute delay cost him a provisional podium position. Mattias Ekström suffered an even harsher reversal: starting the day second overall, a major navigational error dropped him to fifth, 11’19’’ adrift of the new leader.
ERYK GOCZAL — NO GROWING PAINS
Bold ambition often invites scepticism, particularly when voiced by teenagers. Yet Eryk Goczal has spent the past three years turning confidence into results. In 2022, at just 17 and without a driving licence, he was already envisioning Dakar glory while shadowing his father and uncle in the SSV category. What followed has been nothing short of spectacular.
After claiming the SSV title in 2023, enduring the frustration of disqualification the following year, and securing a special-stage win at the 2025 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge in his first Toyota Hilux, Goczal has now etched his name into Dakar history with a stage victory in the Ultimate class.
Once again, the marathon stage played to his strengths. Starting 38th this morning, he methodically carved his way through the field, overtaking 17 competitive cars before setting the fastest time of the day. To cap a perfect performance, he finished 7’45’’ ahead of his uncle Michal, sealing an unprecedented family one-two.
It was also a landmark moment for Polish motorsport — the first Ultimate-class stage win by a Pole since Krzysztof Hołowczyc in 2012 — and perhaps a glimpse of a dynasty still in the making.
The RacerViews info
By Matt Hancock
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