A big first for Yazeed Al-Rajhi in this 2025 Dakar. Fourth in the general classification, 11'45 behind leader Henk Lategan before the day's start, the Saudi, guided by Timo Gottschalk, claimed his first stage victory in this 47th edition.
The driver of the No. 201 Toyota Hilux went it alone in this 415-kilometer special between Al Henakiyah and Al-'Ula. Indeed, he was in the lead during each PK to achieve an 8th career stage victory in the Dakar. Behind him, Yazeed Al-Rajhi beat overall leader Henk Lategan by 4'51 to the finish line.
In the rankings, the Saudi is the big winner of the day since he moves up to 2nd place to come back to 6'54 behind the South African, his runner-up this Wednesday. Nasser Al-Attiyah is the big loser. Dacia's last defense after the disqualification of Sébastien Loeb this Tuesday evening, the Qatari had an eventful day in his turn.
In fact, the five-time winner of the Dakar had to stop twice in the first 120 kilometers of the special. A first time at km 97 to change a wheel and a second at km 118. This last stop was more important since Nasser Al-Attiyah had to call on his teammate Cristina Gutiérrez to intervene on the transmission of his Dacia Sandrider. After a long interruption, he managed to leave again, losing around forty minutes in the process.
© Florent Gooden / DPPI
The second part of this first marathon stage then looked like a sprint for the person concerned who gave everything to limit the damage. A time clocked more than 40 minutes behind Yazeed Al-Rajhi, Nasser Al-Attiyah finished at 33'27. A bad operation which dropped him to 7th place overall, 35'53 behind Henk Lategan.
Provisional classification of stage 4
Provisional general classification after stage 4
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