Saudi driver Yazeed al-Rajhi has made a remarkable move in the 2025 Dakar Rally, claiming the top spot in the overall car standings after an impressive performance in Thursday’s penultimate stage.

The driver overcame the fog and fierce competition to take control of the race, leaving his rivals behind.

Stage 11 Results and Al-Rajhi’s Impressive Comeback

The 11th stage of the Dakar Rally saw Swedish driver Mattias Ekstrom take the win, finishing the 275 km special through the Empty Quarter dunes.

Ekstrom edged out Nasser al-Attiyah by 41 seconds, with al-Rajhi, driving for Overdrive, securing third place, 1:45 behind Ekstrom.

Going into Thursday’s stage, al-Rajhi was trailing leader Henk Lategan by 2:27.

However, by the end of the day, he not only caught up with the South African but pulled ahead by a significant margin.

With Lategan finishing 10:23 behind in fifth place, al-Rajhi now holds a commanding lead of 6:11 going into the final stage on Friday.

Al-Rajhi’s Confident Statement

“I knew I could do it,” al-Rajhi commented after the stage.

“I trusted myself, I attacked, and I enjoyed the ride.”

The 43-year-old Saudi driver is now on the verge of making history, with Friday’s 61 km final stage set to be more symbolic than decisive.

Barring any surprises, al-Rajhi will become the first Saudi driver to win the prestigious Dakar Rally, which has been held in Saudi Arabia since 2020.

Lategan Reflects on His Efforts

Despite falling behind, Lategan remained positive.

“We couldn’t have done better today, I tried everything,” he said.

“I’m no dune expert, but I’m happy to be at the finish with the car in one piece.

It’s incredible, we had a very good Dakar with ups and downs, but overall I’m happy.”

Daniel Sanders Maintains Strong Lead in the Bike Category

In the bike category, Spanish rider Tosha Schareina claimed victory in a fog-shortened 112 km 11th stage, though she couldn’t threaten Daniel Sanders’ hold on first place.

Sanders still holds a comfortable nine-minute lead, and if he safely navigates the final 61 km stage, he will emulate fellow Australian Toby Price, who won the bike category in 2016 and 2018.

Fog Delays and Safety Measures

The stage’s start was delayed by three hours due to heavy fog, which prevented helicopters from taking off and posing a safety risk.

To ensure riders’ safety, the organisers decided to shorten the motorcycle stage, cutting it off at 152 km out of the originally planned 308 km.

The decision also kept riders from having to race in the dark.

Closing Thoughts on the Rally’s Final Stages

As the rally approaches its conclusion, with just one final stage left, the competitors are reflecting on their journey.

Sanders continues to look strong in the bike category, while al-Rajhi’s dominance in the car race positions him for a historic victory.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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