Dakar 2025: Day 13 – A Thrilling Stage 10 in the Empty Quarter Desert

Route Highlights: Haradh to Shubaytah
Stage 10 of the Dakar Rally 2025 saw competitors traverse a challenging route through the iconic Empty Quarter Desert. With a liaison of 520 km and a 115 km special, the stage tested the resilience and skill of all participants. The day delivered drama, comeback stories, and a glimpse of the fierce competition that defines the Dakar.

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Dania Akeel’s Unbelievable Comeback
Local hero Dania Akeel, who faced heartbreak earlier in the rally with a broken wishbone on her Taurus T3 Max, made history by clinching a stunning stage victory. Not only did she dominate the Challenger class, but she also secured the third-fastest time among all four-wheeled vehicles, outpacing even Ultimate class cars. Reflecting on her achievement, Akeel remarked, “The dunes were so much fun, it was a bit like sailing a boat on the sea.” Her performance also earned her five crucial World Rally-Raid Championship points, cementing her place in rally history.

Challenger Class: A Close Battle
Akeel shared the Challenger podium with Pau Navarro and Gonçalo Guerreiro, both driving Taurus T3 Max vehicles. Guerreiro, who reduced Nicolas Cavigliasso’s overall lead to just 26 minutes, expressed confidence in his team’s pace: “This was our first big dunes of the rally. I think we have the pace to do better.” With two stages left, the Challenger class promises more excitement.

Nani Roma’s Triumphant Return
Spaniard Nani Roma, a two-time Dakar winner, claimed his first stage victory since 2015. Driving for Ford M-Sport, Roma finished 18 seconds ahead of Lucas Moraes. “I’m happy for the team because of all the hard work they have been putting in,” said Roma. His victory marked Ford M-Sport’s first-ever Dakar stage win, highlighting the team’s determination and progress.

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Ultimate Class: Tight at the Top
South Africa’s Henk Lategan now leads the Ultimate class, with Yazeed Al Rajhi trailing by just 2 minutes and 27 seconds. Sweden’s Mattias Ekström and Qatar’s Nasser Al-Attiyah remain in contention, albeit around half an hour behind the leader. Ekström admitted that strategic positioning for the next stage was his priority: “Finishing on the podium would be nice, but there’s still two tough days.”

SSV Class: Chaleco López’s Charge
Chilean driver Francisco “Chaleco” López claimed his fifth stage win in the SSV class but remains third overall. López acknowledged the challenges posed by the blinding sunlight and soft sand: “We pushed as much as we could and we’re happy with our result.” With Brock Heger and Xavier de Soultrait ahead, López will need exceptional performances in the final stages to climb further.

Bike Class: Daniel Sanders Extends His Lead
Australian rider Daniel Sanders delivered another stellar performance, extending his lead to 16 minutes and 31 seconds. Sanders described the stage as “hot, hard, and tricky,” with super-soft sand and technical sections. Meanwhile, Luciano Benavides of Argentina eyes the podium, aiming to close the gap on Frenchman Adrien Van Beveren.

Looking Ahead: Stage 11
The penultimate stage on Thursday promises more drama, with the Empty Quarter Desert’s unpredictability keeping the competition wide open. One misstep in the treacherous dunes could alter the leaderboard dramatically.