Dakar 2025: Rest Day Recap

Ha’il Rest Day – January 10, 2025

The 2025 Dakar Rally has already delivered an unforgettable first week, marked by a grueling 48-hour Chrono Stage and an unassisted two-day Marathon Stage. Competitors still in the race now take a much-needed pause during the Ha’il Rest Day. Here’s a look at the standout moments, stats, and stories so far:

Highlights from Week 1

22 and Winning: Seth Quintero continues to make history, becoming the youngest driver to claim two Ultimate stage victories at just 22 years old. The Californian’s wins on Stage 1 and Stage 5 have placed him ninth overall. Quintero reflected: “Rest Day is not my favorite day. I’d rather just keep it going and see what happens.”
Early Exits: The unforgiving terrain has claimed several big names, including defending champion Carlos Sainz, three-time runner-up Sébastien Loeb, and Dakar legend Laia Sanz. All three retired after FIA inspections deemed their roll cages too damaged to continue.
Dominant Sanders: Daniel Sanders leads the Bike category after a stellar performance that included wins on the Prologue, Stage 1, Stage 2, and Stage 4. Heading into the Rest Day, the Australian enjoys a lead of over 15 minutes. Sanders shared his Rest Day plans: “Chill out a bit, get some good sleep and food, maybe a massage and a swim.”
Dania Akeel’s Surge: Saudi Arabia’s Dania Akeel sits fifth in the Challenger class, well on her way to surpassing her previous best finish of eighth overall. The local favorite has drawn significant support from fans across her homeland.
Rookie Rising: Gonçalo Guerreiro, a first-timer in the Dakar Challenger class, impressed during the 48-hour Chrono Stage with a fourth-place finish. The Portuguese driver is now second overall, just 28m34s behind leader Nicolas Cavigliasso.
Massive Mileage: After covering 3,560 km in Week 1, competitors face an even longer second half with 4,245 km remaining. The route traverses Saudi Arabia’s most challenging landscapes, including the Empty Quarter, where the race will conclude on January 17.