RIYADH — South Africa’s Henk Lategan continued his impressive performance in the 2025 Dakar Rally by winning the eighth stage, further solidifying his lead in the driver standings. Lategan, representing Toyota, completed the 487-kilometer special stage between Al-Duwadimi and Riyadh in 4 hours 51 minutes 54 seconds, showcasing not only his driving skills but also his resilience in navigating the challenging terrain.
At just 30 years old, Lategan is participating in his fourth Dakar Rally, and his consistent success has him leading the overall standings. His stage eight victory has given him an additional advantage, extending his lead over Saudi Arabia’s Yazeed al-Rajhi, who trails Lategan by 5 minutes 41 seconds in the general classification. The victory was all the more remarkable considering Lategan faced a two-minute penalty for speeding during the stage.
Stage 8 Highlights: Navigating Through Canyons and Obstacles
Lategan’s victory was no easy feat. The stage was tough, with unexpected challenges, including navigation errors and a puncture that threatened to derail his progress. Despite these setbacks, he managed to finish 1 minute 47 seconds ahead of his fellow countryman, Guy Botterill, also driving a Toyota. Botterill’s strong performance further highlighted the dominance of South African drivers in this year’s rally.
“There was one canyon where everybody was getting lost,” Lategan shared after the race. “We were a little bit nervous going into there because you see cars coming from the front and cars coming from all angles out the mountains.”
Lategan’s team maintained focus, successfully navigating through this challenging section. The racer described how they initially found themselves further back in the field, but by carefully executing their strategy, they made up ground and ultimately reached first place in the rankings. The high-speed rally had its tense moments, and Lategan noted, “At the end, we went all the way out the canyon and then finally found our way. So, we hopped from, let’s say, seventh or so on the road all the way to first. And then we were opening for quite a while.”
Challenges and Setbacks: Small Errors, Big Consequences
Despite being on top, the day wasn’t without its challenges. Lategan mentioned that there were “one or two small navigation errors” and a puncture earlier on in the race. These minor obstacles did not stop him from maintaining his lead, but they underscored the grueling nature of the Dakar Rally, where every second counts.
As the rally continues, Lategan’s ability to navigate through the harsh conditions and recover from small errors will be key to maintaining his momentum and protecting his lead.
Race Results: South African Drivers Dominate the Leaderboard
South African Sweep (Almost)
While Lategan clinched the stage victory, South Africa still dominated the race’s overall outcome. Guy Botterill, who finished second, kept the podium completely in South African hands for the stage. However, it was Mathieu Serradori from France, driving a Century car, who prevented an all-South African podium. Serradori placed third, just five seconds ahead of South African Brian Baragwanath.
As the stage concluded, the driver standings saw Lategan maintaining a commanding lead. However, the competition remains fierce, with Yazeed al-Rajhi trailing closely, hoping to capitalize on any future mistakes by Lategan.
Nasser al-Attiyah’s Struggles: Qatar’s Champion Faces Challenges
The Dakar Rally’s reigning champion, Nasser al-Attiyah, faced a challenging stage, finishing 12 minutes 17 seconds behind Lategan’s pace. Al-Attiyah, a five-time Dakar Rally winner, now sits in fourth place in the overall standings, trailing Lategan by 34 minutes 14 seconds. The race for the top spot remains wide open as there are still several stages remaining.
Al-Attiyah described the stage as particularly difficult: “It was a very tough day. Sometimes when we were opening it was very difficult. Yazeed had a good line and when he passed we just followed him, until the dunes when we passed him, but it was really difficult. I am happy to finish this day. We still have four days left, and we’ll see. The navigation was very hard. Sometimes we were lucky, other times not, but we made it here.”
Al-Attiyah’s struggle for the lead underscores the unpredictable nature of the Dakar Rally, where each stage presents its own set of challenges, from navigation to technical issues.
The Bike Category: Luciano Benavides Clinches Stage Win
In the motorcycle category, Luciano Benavides from Argentina claimed victory on stage 8. Benavides, riding a KTM, finished 2 minutes 8 seconds ahead of Adrien Van Beveren of France, who continues to put pressure on the competition. Spain’s Tosha Schareina placed third, adding further international flavor to the rankings.
Daniel Sanders, also from Australia, retains the overall bike category lead, holding a slim margin of just over 11 minutes. The bike race has seen close competition between Sanders and the other top riders, with Schareina having initially been named the provisional stage winner. However, after Benavides and Van Beveren were re-credited with the time spent assisting Chile’s Pablo Quintanilla, who fell and had to withdraw due to a shoulder injury, the final results were adjusted.
“I had a really good rhythm,” Sanders shared. “I think tomorrow’s going to be the last difficult navigation day before we head down to the Empty Quarter.”
Upcoming Stages: What’s Next for the Dakar Rally?
As the 2025 Dakar Rally progresses, the remaining stages will continue to test the limits of both the drivers and their machines. The race has already proven to be a grueling endurance test, with some of the sport’s most seasoned veterans facing unexpected hurdles.
With four stages remaining, Lategan’s lead is far from secure. His performance on the ninth stage will be crucial in maintaining his position, as both Yazeed al-Rajhi and Nasser al-Attiyah continue to challenge for the top spot.
Dakar Rally fans can expect more thrilling action in the coming days, with the Empty Quarter presenting new challenges and opportunities for the competitors. As always, it will be a battle of skill, strategy, and endurance as drivers navigate through some of the most demanding terrains in the world.
FAQs
1. How does Henk Lategan’s victory in Stage 8 impact his overall standing in the Dakar Rally?
Lategan’s stage 8 win has extended his lead over Saudi Arabia’s Yazeed al-Rajhi to 5 minutes 41 seconds in the overall standings, further consolidating his position at the top of the leaderboard.
2. What were some of the challenges faced by Lategan during Stage 8?
Lategan faced navigation errors and a puncture during the stage. Despite these setbacks, he managed to finish first, demonstrating his resilience and skill under pressure.
3. What is the significance of Nasser al-Attiyah’s performance in Stage 8?
Al-Attiyah, the five-time champion of the Dakar Rally, finished 12 minutes 17 seconds behind Lategan, dropping him to fourth in the overall standings. This stage has made the race for the top spot even more competitive.
4. Who won the bike category on Stage 8?
Luciano Benavides from Argentina won the bike category on Stage 8, with Adrien Van Beveren finishing second. Daniel Sanders continues to lead the overall bike rankings.
5. What challenges lie ahead for the competitors in the Dakar Rally?
The remaining stages, including the navigation-heavy Empty Quarter, present new challenges. Drivers will need to maintain focus and strategy to overcome the harsh conditions and difficult terrains in the final leg of the race.
