Pictures by Flavien Duhamel / Red Bull Content Pool
Text by Mike Charopka

Rivalries, resilience, and rising American stars steal the show in the Saudi desert.

The 2025 Dakar Rally previewed its high stakes and fierce rivalries during one of the season’s most grueling stages. With the competition entering its second week, this wasn’t just a battle against the terrain—it was a battle for supremacy. Ford and Dacia locked horns in the car category, while iconic racers like Nasser Al Attiyah and Mattias Ekström continued their heated duel. Meanwhile, American racers demonstrated their prowess across multiple classes, reinforcing their growing influence in the rally raid world.

Ford vs. Dacia

The clash between Ford and Dacia stole the spotlight in the Ultimate class. Mattias Ekström, piloting the Ford Raptor, has been relentless in challenging the dominance of Toyota and Dacia. However, Nasser Al Attiyah, now behind the wheel of Dacia’s beastly prototype, isn’t one to be outdone. Despite setbacks, the Qatari legend clawed back precious minutes on the leaders. Guillaume de Mévius, driving a revamped Mini, broke Toyota’s stage-winning streak, signaling that the Dakar is far from a two-horse race.

Cars

Hank Lategan remains at the top of the leaderboard, but his cautious seventh-place finish on this stage shows the pressure is mounting. Yazeed Al Rajhi and Ekström trail closely, with Al Attiyah inching closer. This stage highlighted the technical mastery required to navigate the rocky trails and the maze of dunes—a harbinger of what lies ahead in the final week.

Bikes

American Ricky Brabec reminded everyone why he’s a Dakar legend. Claiming his eleventh career stage win, Brabec’s navigation skills and sheer determination earned him a much-needed boost in the overall standings, where he now sits fourth. His Honda teammate Adrien Van Beveren showcased a masterclass in navigation but fell just short of the stage win. The bike category, as always, remains a battlefield of precision and grit, with America firmly in the mix.

Challenger

In the Challenger class, Nicholas Cavigliasso continues to dominate, but American Corbin Leaverton is proving to be a persistent contender. Leaverton’s second-place stage finish keeps him in striking distance of his Red Bull Junior teammate Gonçalo Guerreiro, setting up an exciting final stretch.

SSV

Brock Heger continues to lead the SSV category, showing why Polaris is a force to be reckoned with. Despite losing time earlier in the rally, Xavier de Soultrait has been clawing back with consistent performances. Heger’s composure and strategic approach could deliver a class win for America.

Conclusion

This stage felt like a trailer for the 2025 Dakar, showcasing the terrain, rivalries, and resilience that define the rally. From the fast plateaus to the technical dunes, clarity of mind and unyielding determination were key to success. As the rally marches into its sand-packed second week, America’s racers are not only surviving—they’re thriving.

CHECK THE RESULTS ON THE OFFICIAL DAKAR DAKAR RALLY WEBSITE: https://www.dakar.live.worldrallyraidchampionship.com/en/car/6/standings

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