The 2025 Dakar Rally roared into action with Stage 1, offering competitors a grueling 500km challenge that tested both their endurance and skill. Covering a 413km timed special stage loop around Bisha, the day proved to be as strategic as it was demanding. Here’s a breakdown of the key moments from the day.
Ultimate Class: A Battle of Strategy and Skill
The spotlight in the Ultimate class was on Seth Quintero, who clinched the stage victory for Toyota Gazoo Racing. The 22-year-old’s win propelled him into the overall lead. Reflecting on his performance, Quintero said, “It’s always good to get the first one done. We got past quite a few cars, then we saw Laia Sanz had a big crash, so we stopped there and did what we could to help.”
Brazilian racer Lucas Moraes dominated most of the stage but strategically eased off near the finish line to secure a favorable starting position for the upcoming 48-hour Chrono Stage. Moraes’ calculated move placed him eighth overall for the day.
Defending champion Carlos Sainz overcame challenging terrain in his Ford Raptor T1+, navigating narrow paths and enduring vehicle damage. The 62-year-old described the stage as “tough” but managed to finish in the top 10.
Other strong performers included Cristina Gutiérrez in the Dacia Sandrider and Toby Price in his Toyota Hilux, both of whom secured top spots.
Bikes: Sanders Leads the Pack
In the Bike class, Daniel Sanders continued his stellar performance, securing his second consecutive win for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing. The Australian now leads the overall standings by 2 minutes and 22 seconds. “There was a lot of dust, so it probably wasn’t the smartest thing to start at the back. In the end, everyone caught up with each other, so you had to stand your ground and stay strong,” said Sanders.
Luciano Benavides delivered a strong ride, sitting just outside the top five, while his brother Kevin remains in contention. Meanwhile, 19-year-old rookie Edgar Canet impressed with a solid performance in his Dakar debut.
Unfortunately, India’s Hairth Noah saw his rally come to an early end due to a fractured wrist sustained during the Prologue.
Challenger Class: Guerreiro Stays Close
The Challenger class saw Gonçalo Guerreiro of the Red Bull Off-Road Junior Team finish as runner-up for the second day in a row. Guerreiro’s consistent performance leaves him just four seconds behind leader Nicolas Cavigliasso. Fellow Red Bull teammate Corbin Leaverton rounded out the top five.
SSV: López Stays in Contention
Dakar veteran Francisco ‘Chaleco’ López sits second in the SSV category, trailing leader Xavier De Soultrait by less than eight minutes. With 11 stages remaining, López remains a strong contender.
Looking Ahead: The 48-Hour Chrono Stage
The next challenge is the formidable 48-hour Chrono Stage, where competitors will race over 1,000km across two days. The clock will pause at designated rest areas at 5pm, resuming the following morning. This stage is expected to further test the endurance and strategy of every participant.
2025 Dakar Rally Selected Overall Standings After Stage 1
Ultimate Class
- Seth Quintero (USA) 4h 35m 8s
- Cristina Gutiérrez (ESP) 4h 37m 21s
- Lucas Moraes (BRA) 4h 38m 26s
- Carlos Sainz (ESP) 4h 38m 35s
- Toby Price (AUS) 4h 41m 6s
Bike Class
- Daniel Sanders (AUS) 4h 58m 18s
- Luciano Benavides (ARG) 5h 9m 0s
- Kevin Benavides (ARG) 5h 34m 19s
Challenger Class
- Gonçalo Guerreiro (POR) 4h 47m 16s
- Corbin Leaverton (USA) 5h 2m 37s
As the rally progresses, the challenges will only intensify. Stay tuned for more updates from the world’s toughest motorsport event.
Source: Redbull Content Pool
This article was crafted with assistance from Gemini
