Saudi driver Yazeed al-Rajhi (Overdrive) won the second stage of the Dakar 2025 rally in her country on Monday, the formidable ’48h chrono’. In motorcycle racing, Australian Daniel Sanders continues his domination.
The 43-year-old Saudi completed the 967 km special, spread over two days, in 10h56’54”, despite a 2′ penalty for speeding. He is followed by the South African Henk Lategan at 4’6”, who remains at the top of the provisional general classification.
Yazeed al-Rajhi led the race almost throughout the two days. Only Nasser al-Attiyah overtook him at kilometer 231, before being caught shortly before km 373. The Qatari finished third. ‘It was really, really hard. I have the impression that we are on our tenth day of Dakar,’ reacted Yazeed al-Rajhi upon his arrival at the rally bivouac, which began on Friday.
For this long stage, the competitors had to bivouac in the desert and did not benefit from the assistance of their teams at the night stop. Victim of a rollover on Sunday which seriously damaged his Ford Raptor, defending champion Carlos Sainz managed to finish the stage but more than an hour and a half behind al-Rajhi.
And three for Sanders
In motorcycle racing, Daniel Sanders scored a third victory in a row, after the prologue and the first stage. Winner of the last rally in Morocco, the Australian won on the handlebars of his KTM ahead of Frenchman Adrien Van Beveren (Honda).
He logically retains the lead in the provisional general classification, with 12’36” ahead of Skyler Howes. The third step is occupied by the Botswanan Ross Branch (Hero), four seconds behind the American.
The third stage of this Dakar, scheduled for Tuesday, was shortened due to weather conditions. Leaving the starting bivouac in Bisha (southwest), the competitors must reach Al Henakiyah, further north.
/ATS
