Route: Shubaytah > Shubaytah – Liaison 70km | Special 61km
Date: January 17, 2025
The 47th edition of the Dakar Rally reached its dramatic conclusion in Saudi Arabia, showcasing the world’s toughest off-road race. Covering over 5,000 kilometers of treacherous terrain, the rally tested competitors to their limits across sand dunes, rocky paths, and scorching temperatures.
Daniel Sanders Triumphs in Bike Category
Australian Daniel ‘Chucky’ Sanders dominated the 2025 Dakar Rally, securing his first bike title aboard the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing bike. The 30-year-old claimed five stage wins, matching Toby Price’s 2016 achievement for KTM. Reflecting on his victory, Sanders said, “Winning this race feels massive. When I came over the last dune and saw the bivouac, chills went through my body.”
Sanders’ victory also marked KTM’s 20th bike title. Teammate Luciano Benavides pushed hard to secure his best-ever finish in fourth, while 19-year-old Edgar Canet made a remarkable debut, winning the Rally2 category and finishing eighth overall.
Historic Win for Yazeed Al Rajhi in the Ultimate Category
Saudi Arabia celebrated a landmark victory as Yazeed Al Rajhi became the first Saudi driver to win the Dakar. Driving the Dacia Sandrider, Al Rajhi fended off South African Henk Lategan in the final week to claim the Ultimate crown. Sweden’s Mattias Ekström delivered Ford M-Sport’s best-ever finish, piloting the Ford Raptor T1+ to third place.
Five-time winner Nasser Al-Attiyah had to settle for fourth, while rookie Mitch Guthrie Jr. impressed with a fifth-place finish. Other notable performances included Lucas Moraes winning Stage 12 and Rokas Baciuška clocking the fastest time in the 48-Hour Chrono.
Challenger and SSV Highlights
Argentine Nicolas Cavigliasso clinched the Challenger class title, with Portugal’s Gonçalo Guerreiro and Spain’s Pau Navarro completing the podium. Meanwhile, American Brock Heger emerged victorious in the SSV category, with Chilean legend Francisco ‘Chaleco’ López finishing second for his seventh career podium.
A Spectacular Finish in Shubaytah
The final stage in the heart of the Empty Quarter Desert capped off two weeks of relentless racing. The Shubaytah bivouac served as the stunning backdrop for the closing ceremony, where all finishers were celebrated for conquering the ultimate motorsport challenge.
Selected Standings After Stage 12
Ultimate
- Yazeed Al Rajhi (SAU) – 52:52.15
- Henk Lategan (ZAF) – +3.57
- Mattias Ekström (SWE) – +20.21
Challenger
- Nicolas Cavigliasso (ARG) – 57:50.21
- Gonçalo Guerreiro (POR) – +1:11.38
- Pau Navarro (ESP) – +1:30.13
SSV
- Brock Heger (USA) – 59:13.11
- Francisco López (CHL) – +2:06.04
- Alexandre Pinto (POR) – +3:37.11
Bike
- Daniel Sanders (AUS) – 53:08.52
- Tosha Schareina (ESP) – +8.50
- Adrien Van Beveren (FRA) – +14.46
The 2025 Dakar Rally proved once again why it remains the pinnacle of endurance motorsport, blending breathtaking landscapes with unparalleled competition.
Source: Redbull Content Pool
This article was crafted with assistance from Chatgpt
