The penultimate day of the 2025 Dakar Rally unfolded in the expansive and unforgiving Empty Quarter Desert, with Stage 11 presenting a 232km liaison and a 152km special loop from Shubaytah to Shubaytah. It was a day of high stakes, strategic maneuvers, and dramatic twists across all classes.
Daniel Sanders Maintains Bike Lead
Australian rider Daniel Sanders, representing Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, showcased remarkable resilience and strategy as he defended his nine-minute lead in the bike category. Despite relentless pressure from his rivals, including Tosha Schareina, who managed to cut 7m31s off the gap, Sanders remained composed.
“Tomorrow, we’ve got 60km in the sand dunes,” Sanders reflected. “Tonight, I’ll look at changing the bike setup a little bit—I wasn’t fully happy with it today. The focus will be on having a good day.”
With only Stage 12 standing between Sanders and his first Dakar title, the 30-year-old has demonstrated extraordinary consistency, having led the rally from the Prologue.
Challengers in the Bike Category
Behind Sanders, the competition remains fierce. Argentine Luciano Benavides and Frenchman Adrien Van Beveren continue to push hard, with Benavides eyeing an outside chance of a podium finish. Currently, he trails Van Beveren by 6m26s.
“It’s been a tough Dakar,” Benavides admitted. “Everyone who has made it into the Top 10 has done a really good job. The competition has been strong.”
In the Rally2 bike class, teenage Spaniard Edgar Canet is on the verge of a historic victory, with a commanding lead heading into the final stage.
Ultimate Class Drama
In the Ultimate class, Swede Mattias Ekström secured his first stage win of the rally, edging out five-time Dakar champion Nasser Al-Attiyah by just 41 seconds. Al-Attiyah’s chances were hindered by two flat tires, allowing Ekström to extend his advantage in third place to 4m16s over the Qatari.
“It’s been a very competitive two weeks with lots of tough challenges along the way,” Ekström commented after the stage.
Meanwhile, American rookie Mitch Guthrie Jr. continued his impressive debut, finishing fourth in the stage and maintaining fifth overall. “There were some tough areas to navigate and get up the dunes,” Guthrie shared. “We kept it moving, made some passes, and I feel like we did alright.”
Challenger Class Title Race Tightens
In the Challenger class, Argentine Nicolas Cavigliasso solidified his lead as Portugal’s Gonçalo Guerreiro suffered a setback, losing over 45 minutes. Guerreiro’s misfortune has tightened the battle for the podium, with Spain’s Pau Navarro now less than 20 minutes behind.
Saudi driver Dania Akeel continued her impressive form, securing third place in Stage 11 following her Stage 10 triumph.
SSV and the Final Push
The SSV class saw a shakeup as Chilean Francisco ‘Chaleco’ López moved into second place, taking advantage of a challenging day for Frenchman Xavier de Soultrait. With just one stage remaining, López is positioned to challenge for the title.
Stage 12 Awaits
As the rally heads into its final stage, competitors will face a mass start across the sand dunes of the Empty Quarter Desert. The 60km special will be a final test of skill, endurance, and strategy before the victors are crowned.
2025 Dakar Rally Selected Overall Standings After Stage 11
Ultimate Class
- Yazeed Al Rajhi (SAU) – 51:53.36
- Henk Lategan (ZAF) – +06.11
- Mattias Ekström (SWE) – +22.34
Challenger Class
- Nicolas Cavigliasso (ARG) – 56:44.09
- Gonçalo Guerreiro (POR) – +1:11.36
- Pau Navarro (ESP) – +1:30.11
SSV Class
- Brock Heger (USA) – 58:04.54
- Francisco López (CHL) – +2:06.00
- Alexandre Pinto (POR) – +3:37.06
Bike Class
- Daniel Sanders (AUS) – 52:13.34
- Tosha Schareina (ESP) – +9.00
- Adrien Van Beveren (FRA) – +15.50
Source: Redbull Content Pool
This article was crafted with assistance from Chatgpt
