DAKAR RALLY 2025 – The 47th edition of the Dakar will start tomorrow with the prologue. The opportunity to discuss the favorites for the title. Who will succeed Carlos Sainz in the car category and Ricky Brabec in the motorcycle category?
439 vehicles will set off from The month in Saudi Arabia for the 47th edition of Dakarthe 6th organized in Saudi Arabia. They will travel almost 8000km in the Saudi desert. The second stage in Bisha will be the longest, with 965 kilometers to cover. The route is different from last year, with a rise from Bisha towards the north. After 5 days, the pilots will head to the east and northeast of the country. They will notably move to the level of Riyadhthe capital, before ending at Shubaitah on January 17. During these two weeks of competition there will be a fierce battle for the general ranking.
Nasser Al-Attiyah, Sébastien Loeb and Carlos Sainz as favorites
The big favorite of this edition, like every year, is Nasser Al-Attiyah. The Qatari pilot, accompanied this year by Edouard Boulangerwants to return to victory. THE five-time winner of the Dakar (2011, 2015, 2019, 2022, 2023) is aiming for the top step of the podium despite a change of car and co-driver. The duo Dacia has already shown very good things for its first appearance, with a victory in the Rallye du Maroc.
But he will have to face another Dacia team, that of Sébastien Loeb. The French9 times WRC world rally champion, has still not won the Dakar Rally. In 9 participations, he was on the podium 5 times, including three times in second place. He hopes, with his change of team and car, to finally be able to win the title.
The title holder, Carlos Sainzfour-time winner, will also be one to watch. The 62-year-old Spanish veteran will participate with Fordnew team in the competition. Which raises doubts about the capacity of Sainz to retain his title. No team has ever won the Dakar from his first participation. The only exception is Citroën which had benefited from Peugeot's team and cars.
Carlos Sainz wins his 4th Dakar, Sébastien Loeb wins the 12th stage
DAKAR 2024 – Carlos Sainz finished the job to win his fourth Dakar while Sébastien Loeb took another stage victory.
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From Mevius et Moraes in ambush
Behind them, two young pilots wish shake up the hierarchy. Starting with the 30-year-old Belgian, William of Mevius. For his first participation in the premier category last year, at the wheel of his Toyota, he finished second in the general classification. This year, he will team up with Mathieu Baumelformer co-pilot of Nasser Al-Attiyah and quadruple winner of the Dakar alongside the Qatari. He will therefore be able to count on his experience to perform. This year he is competing with Minia car in trouble, just like Toyota. It is therefore a bet for the Belgian, who has already proven himself in the desert this year, by getting on the podium of the Rallye du Maroc.
Then there is Lucas Moraesa 34-year-old Brazilian pilot, who rode on the podium during his first Dakar in 2023. After a mechanical mishap last year, he had to retire while he was in contention for a second podium. For the third year in a row, he will drive for Toyota, which sent more than 18 vehicles. He is clearly one of the favorites for this edition, at least for the podium.
A tough motorcycle event, Ricky Brabec favorite
The 2025 edition of the Dakar motorcycle event will be very tough, with many contenders for the title. 6 pilots are favorites, especially the pilots Honda.
Firstly, there is the title holder Ricky Brabec. The American driver is the big favorite for this edition and will be aiming for his third Dakar title. There is also another winner, the Argentinian Kevin Benavides. Titled in 2021 and 2023 with Honda et KTMhe will want to take his revenge after finishing just off the podium last year.
Then the French Adrien van Beveren3th last year, is clearly one of the favorites during this edition. He followed a very big preparation au Morocco in recent weeks in order to be able to dethrone Brabec. For his tenth Dakar, he will be riding a Honda. The same team as Brabec as well as Tosha Schareina. The pilot Spanish will have revenge to take after his retirement from the first stage last year due to a broken wrist. Since this disappointment, he has displayed incredible form with victories in W2RC at Portugalau Morocco and a podium in Argentine.
Then there is obviously the reigning W2RC world champion, Ross Branch. The pilot botswanais finished second in the last edition, and has all the weapons to climb to the top step. The team driver Hero aims at a first title. Daniel Sandersteammate of Benavides at KTM, is also one of the favorites after his victory in the Morocco Rally.
Martin Macik in truck, Polaris RZR in SSV
In category Truck, Martin Macik will defend his title. It will face competition from Ales Lopraissecond last year, and Mitch Van Brink third in 2024. Kees Koolen et Claudio Bellina will be in ambush in particular because they will drive trucks built by the title holder Czech. In SSV, Polaris RZRpartner team of Sébastien Loeb Racing Teamwill have the task of retaining their title.
