The 2025 Dakar Rally continues to bring thrilling drama and fierce competition as Saudi Arabia’s Yazeed Al-Rajhi snatched the lead from South African Henk Lategan, while Qatari Nasser Al-Attiyah stormed through stage nine with a crucial victory. With just three stages remaining, the drivers’ standings have shifted, creating a nail-biting finale in the desert. Here’s an in-depth look at the action-packed day of racing that is shaping up to be one of the most exciting Dakar editions yet.
H1: A Pivotal Moment in the Dakar Rally as Al-Rajhi Takes Over the Lead
H2: Stage Nine Highlights: Al-Attiyah’s Victory and Al-Rajhi’s Rise
On Tuesday, during the ninth stage of the Dakar Rally, Al-Attiyah’s precise driving skills and focused strategy resulted in a stage win. The 357 km special between Riyadh and Haradh saw Al-Attiyah cover the terrain in 2 hours, 52 minutes, and 59 seconds, giving him a substantial edge over his rivals. The victory helped the five-time Dakar champion close the gap to Al-Rajhi, who is now leading the overall rankings.
After a messy day for South African Henk Lategan, who had dominated the Dakar Rally standings since stage two, Al-Rajhi’s consistency and determination saw him take the top spot in the standings. The Saudi driver now holds a commanding position with a 7-minute 9-second lead, with only three more days to go before the rally concludes.
“I am happy with the result today. We really fought hard and did a great job, as planned,” Al-Rajhi said after his success. “It won’t be easy, but we will fight until the end. Everything is going well for us so far.”
H3: Al-Attiyah’s Pursuit of a Sixth Title
Al-Attiyah’s win on stage nine has kept his hopes for a sixth Dakar title alive. With three days remaining, the Dacia driver sits fourth overall, 25 minutes behind Al-Rajhi. Despite this, Al-Attiyah remains optimistic and focused on closing the gap. “We must stay focused. There are still three stages left, and anything can happen in this rally,” Al-Attiyah commented.
The Qatari’s performance on Tuesday, finishing 2 minutes 47 seconds ahead of Belgian Guillaume de Mevius and 3 minutes 12 seconds ahead of Al-Rajhi, shows that he is still a strong contender for the title. His message was clear: he is not ready to give up, and the battle is far from over.
H2: Lategan’s Setback: What Went Wrong for the South African Driver?
For Henk Lategan, stage nine was a day to forget. Having held the lead since stage two, Lategan faced multiple setbacks that ultimately derailed his charge for the title. Despite opening the road for the first time in stage eight, the South African found himself in trouble early on in stage nine.
Lategan and his Toyota team encountered a series of navigation errors that cost them valuable time. At one point, they got lost, mistakenly believing they had missed a waypoint. This costly mistake was compounded by a puncture and another flat tire later in the stage.
“It was a disaster,” Lategan said. “We had a really messy day, and when we got lost, we got one puncture. Then towards the end, we got another flat. It’s disappointing, but we’re not out of it yet. There are still three days to go.”
Lategan now sits in second place, 7 minutes and 9 seconds behind Al-Rajhi, but his confidence remains unshaken.
H1: Al-Attiyah and Al-Rajhi: The Battle for Dakar Glory Intensifies
H2: The Rising Threat of Al-Rajhi: Can He Hold On to His Lead?
As Al-Rajhi leads the Dakar Rally with three stages left, the Saudi driver is determined to make his country proud by securing a historic victory. Having remained consistent throughout the rally, his Overdrive team has helped him maintain his spot at the top of the leaderboard. With a 7-minute 9-second advantage, Al-Rajhi will be looking to further solidify his position in the coming stages.
“It’s not going to be easy, but I’m ready for the challenge,” Al-Rajhi said confidently. “Every stage is critical. We’ll push hard, but we know there are many drivers who will fight to the end.”
H3: Al-Attiyah’s Strategic Play: How He Plans to Reclaim the Lead
Although Al-Rajhi has taken the lead, Al-Attiyah is far from giving up. The Qatari driver is known for his resilience and ability to adapt, and he will need all of his experience to close the gap to Al-Rajhi in the final stages.
“We’re not out of the fight yet,” Al-Attiyah remarked. “We’ve been in this situation before, and I know how to handle pressure. The next three days will be crucial, and we need to stay focused on the task at hand.”
Al-Attiyah’s team has always been a key part of his success, and their meticulous planning and excellent teamwork will be essential in the final stages of the Dakar Rally.
H1: Motorcycle Category: Benavides and Sanders Dominate Stage Nine
H2: Benavides’ Back-to-Back Wins on the Dakar Rally
In the motorcycle category, Argentine rider Luciano Benavides secured his second consecutive stage win, continuing his impressive performance on the Dakar Rally. Benavides, riding for KTM, finished 1 minute 54 seconds ahead of Frenchman Adrien Van Beveren of Honda, taking the top spot in the motorcycle division.
Benavides’ victory on stage nine was particularly impressive as he had started first after his stage eight victory. Despite the challenging conditions, he managed to maintain a strong pace and execute flawless navigation to clinch the win.
H3: Daniel Sanders Holds Firm Lead in Motorcycle Category
Australian rider Daniel Sanders finished third in the stage, extending his overall lead in the motorcycle category. Sanders now leads second-place Spaniard Tosha Schareina by an impressive 14 minutes and 45 seconds. Despite the strong competition from riders like Benavides, Sanders remains focused on maintaining his lead as the rally heads into the final days.
“It’s been a tough rally so far, but we’re in a good position,” Sanders said. “We’ve still got some tough stages ahead, but I’m feeling confident and just focusing on maintaining my lead.”
H1: The Final Days of Dakar Rally 2025: What to Expect
With just three days remaining in the Dakar Rally, the competition is heating up, and every minute counts. Al-Rajhi holds the lead, but Al-Attiyah’s resilience could make the final days a dramatic showdown. On the motorcycle front, Sanders looks poised to take home the win, but Benavides’ back-to-back victories have added an extra layer of excitement to the race.
As the rally heads towards its conclusion, the battle for the podium promises to be one of the most intense in recent years. Fans can expect more twists and turns as the world’s best drivers and riders push their limits in the unforgiving terrain of the Saudi Arabian desert.
FAQs:
- Who won stage nine of the Dakar Rally?
Qatari driver Nasser Al-Attiyah won stage nine of the Dakar Rally. - Who leads the overall standings in the Dakar Rally after stage nine?
Saudi driver Yazeed Al-Rajhi has taken the lead in the overall standings. - What happened to Henk Lategan in stage nine?
Henk Lategan faced navigation issues and suffered two punctures during stage nine, causing him to drop behind in the standings. - Who is leading the motorcycle category in the Dakar Rally?
Australian rider Daniel Sanders is leading the motorcycle category, with Luciano Benavides having won back-to-back stages. - How many days are left in the Dakar Rally?
There are three days remaining in the 2025 Dakar Rally.
