Mattias Ekström takes stage win in cars as Sanders keeps top spot in general classification for bike to try to win first Dakar ever!
In the penultimate stage of the 2025 Dakar Rally, Mattias Ekström secured a stage victory, while Yazeed Al-Rajhi moved closer to clinching the overall title. Stage 11, spanning 275 kilometers from Shaybah to Al-Hofuf, was delayed due to heavy fog, which hindered helicopter support. Once conditions improved, the stage commenced, featuring challenging dunes that tested the competitors’ skills.
Ekström, driving for Ford, completed the stage in 4 hours, 19 minutes, and 27 seconds, narrowly edging out Nasser Al-Attiyah by 41 seconds. This achievement marked Ford’s second consecutive stage win, following Nani Roma’s triumph in Stage 10. Ekström’s consistent performance has solidified his third-place standing overall, trailing the leader by over 22 minutes.
Local favorite Yazeed Al-Rajhi finished third in the stage, which was sufficient to overtake Henk Lategan in the general classification. Al-Rajhi now leads by 6 minutes and 11 seconds, positioning him favorably to become the first Saudi driver to win the Dakar Rally. Lategan, who began the day with a lead of over two minutes, encountered difficulties in the dunes, resulting in a fifth-place finish for the stage and a drop to second overall.
Read More: Yazeed Al-Rajhi | The champion, the dream and the Golden Opportunity
In the motorcycle category, Tosha Schareina claimed his first stage win of the rally. The stage was shortened to 152 kilometers due to persistent fog, which led to safety concerns. Schareina’s victory allowed him to reduce the gap to overall leader Daniel Sanders by over seven minutes. However, Sanders maintains a nine-minute advantage heading into the final stage, keeping him in a strong position to secure the title.
As the rally approaches its conclusion, competitors are preparing for the final stage, a 61-kilometer sprint to the finish line in Dammam. The shortened distance leaves little room for significant changes in the standings, but the unpredictable nature of the Dakar Rally means that surprises can still occur. Al-Rajhi and Sanders are both on the verge of historic victories in their respective categories, provided they can navigate the final challenges without incident.
The 2025 Dakar Rally has been marked by intense competition, challenging terrains, and unpredictable weather conditions. The emergence of new contenders like Al-Rajhi and the continued excellence of seasoned competitors such as Sanders have made this edition particularly memorable. As the rally concludes, all eyes will be on the leading competitors to see if they can maintain their positions and secure victory in one of the world’s most grueling motorsport events.
Cars General Classification after Stage 11
| POS. | N° | DRIVE-TEAM | TEAM | TIME | VARIATION |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 201 | Yazeed Al Rajhi / Timo Gottschalk | Overdrive Racing | 51H 53′ 36” | – |
| 2 | 211 | Henk Lategan / Brett Cummings | Toyota Gazoo Racing | 51H 59′ 47” | +00H 06′ 11” |
| 3 | 226 | Mattias Ekström / Emil Bergkvist | Ford M-Sport | 52H 16′ 10” | +00H 22′ 34” |
| 4 | 200 | Nasser Al-Attiyah / Edouard Boulanger | The Dacia Sandriders | 52H 20′ 26” | +00H 26′ 50” |
| 5 | 228 | Mitchell Guthrie / Kellon Walch | Ford M-Sport | 52H 53′ 02” | +00H 59′ 26” |
Challenger: Cavigliasso Leads the Pack
In the Challenger category, Nicolas Cavigliasso and Valentina Pertegarini of Team BBR maintained their dominance, completing Stage 11 with a total time of 56H 44′ 09”. Their impressive teamwork and precision driving have set them apart in this category.
Trailing in second place are Goncalo Guerreiro and Cadu Sachs of Red Bull Off-Road JR Team USA by BFG. With a time of 57H 55′ 45”, they remain in contention, though over an hour behind the leaders. Pau Navarro and Lisandro Ezequiel Sisterna Herrera, also of Team BBR, hold the third spot with a time of 58H 14′ 20”.
The Qatari duo of Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari and Nasser Al-Kuwari of Nasser Racing sit in fourth, while Adam Kus and Dmytro Tsyro of Akpol Recycling round out the top five, showcasing the category’s competitive spirit.
Challenger Class General Classification after Stage 11
| POS. | N° | DRIVE-TEAM | TEAM | TIME | VARIATION |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 301 | Nicolas Cavigliasso / Valentina Pertegarini | Team BBR | 56H 44′ 09” | – |
| 2 | 319 | Goncalo Guerreiro / Cadu Sachs | Red Bull Off-Road JR Team USA by BFG | 57H 55′ 45” | +01H 11′ 36” |
| 3 | 304 | Pau Navarro / Lisandro Ezequiel Sisterna Herrera | Team BBR | 58H 14′ 20” | +01H 30′ 11” |
| 4 | 334 | Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari / Nasser Al-Kuwari | Nasser Racing | 60H 27′ 17” | +03H 43′ 08” |
| 5 | 349 | Adam Kus / Dmytro Tsyro | Akpol Recycling | 63H 48′ 07” | +07H 03′ 58” |
Bikes: Sanders Eyes the Prize, Honda Battles Back
The penultimate stage of the 2025 Dakar Rally brought a mix of determination, resilience, and shifting dynamics, setting the stage for a thrilling finale. Stage 11 tested the endurance and strategic prowess of riders, with weather conditions playing a crucial role.
Australian rider Daniel Sanders continued his dominant run in the bikes category, maintaining his lead with an overall time of 52H 13′ 34”. Representing Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, Sanders showcased exceptional navigation and speed, staying focused despite mounting pressure. He stands as the clear favorite to claim victory on the final day.
Behind Sanders, Honda riders stepped up their game. Spain’s Tosha Schareina, riding for Monster Energy Honda HRC, delivered a remarkable performance by winning the stage, narrowing the gap to Sanders to just over nine minutes. French rider Adrien Van Beveren, also of Honda, secured third place with a time of 52H 29′ 24”, highlighting Honda’s efforts to challenge for top spots.
The stage was not without challenges, as weather conditions created tricky navigation and terrain difficulties. Riders like Ricky Brabec and Luciano Benavides fought hard to stay within striking distance, ensuring that the top five leaderboard remains highly competitive.
Off the track, the conversation among teams turned to the impact of weather forecasts and strategic planning. Honda’s team manager emphasized the importance of weather data in navigating Stage 11’s unpredictable terrain. These insights proved crucial in mitigating risks and maintaining competitive speeds.
As the rally nears its conclusion, Sanders’ focus and consistency remain unmatched, but Honda’s riders are determined to mount a late challenge. With just one stage left, every second will count in the battle for the podium. The Dakar Rally 2025 has lived up to its reputation, blending drama, endurance, and the relentless pursuit of glory.
The final day promises an intense showdown as riders push their limits in the quest for victory. Fans worldwide eagerly await the culmination of this iconic event, which has already delivered unforgettable moments and extraordinary performances.
Bikes General Classification after Stage 11
| POS. | N° | DRIVE-TEAM | TEAM | TIME | VARIATION |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | Daniel Sanders | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing | 52H 13′ 34” | – |
| 2 | 68 | Tosha Schareina | Monster Energy Honda HRC | 52H 22′ 34” | +00H 09′ 00” |
| 3 | 42 | Adrien Van Beveren | Monster Energy Honda HRC | 52H 29′ 24” | +00H 15′ 50” |
| 4 | 77 | Luciano Benavides | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing | 52H 35′ 50” | +00H 22′ 16” |
| 5 | 9 | Ricky Brabec | Monster Energy Honda HRC | 52H 42′ 09” | +00H 28′ 35” |
Trucks: Martin Macik’s Commanding Lead
The trucks category witnessed Martin Macik of MM Technology extending his lead. With a total time of 57H 34′ 37”, Macik and his team of Frantisek Tomasek and David Svanda have shown exceptional teamwork and resilience. Their ability to navigate treacherous terrain with precision has been instrumental in maintaining their top spot.
Mitchel Van Den Brink of Eurol Rally Sport remains in second place, clocking a time of 59H 59′ 38”. The Dutchman, supported by co-drivers Moises Torrallardona and Jarno Van De Pol, has kept the pressure on Macik, trailing by just over two hours. Ales Loprais of Instatrade Loprais Team De Rooy FPT secured third with a time of 60H 05′ 18”, showcasing the tenacity needed to stay competitive in this grueling category.
The top five also include Kees Koolen of MM Technology and Vaidotas Zala of Skuba Team De Rooy FPT, both delivering solid performances that highlight the depth of talent in the trucks division.
Trucks General Classification after Stage 11
| POS. | N° | DRIVE-TEAM | TEAM | TIME | VARIATION |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 600 | Martin Macik / Frantisek Tomasek / David Svanda | MM Technology | 57H 34′ 37” | – |
| 2 | 602 | Mitchel Van Den Brink / Moises Torrallardona / Jarno Van De Pol | Eurol Rally Sport | 59H 59′ 38” | +02H 25′ 01” |
| 3 | 601 | Ales Loprais / David Kripal / Darek Rodewald | Instatrade Loprais Team De Rooy FPT | 60H 05′ 18” | +02H 30′ 41” |
| 4 | 603 | Kees Koolen / Wouter De Graaff / Daniel Kozlovsky | MM Technology | 63H 43′ 23” | +06H 08′ 46” |
| 5 | 605 | Vaidotas Zala / Paulo Fiuza / Max Van Grol | Skuba Team De Rooy FPT | 64H 53′ 40” | +07H 19′ 03” |
SSV: Brock Heger Sets the Benchmark
In the SSV category, American driver Brock Heger, alongside Max Eddy, continues to lead the pack. Representing Sebastien Loeb Racing – RZR Factory Racing, Heger completed Stage 11 with a total time of 58H 04′ 54”. His strategic approach and excellent navigation have been key to his commanding position.
Francisco Lopez Contardo and Juan Pablo Latrach of Can-Am Factory Team remain in second place with a time of 60H 10′ 54”. Despite trailing by over two hours, their determination and consistency have kept them within striking distance of the leader.
The battle for the third spot remains intense, with Alexandre Pinto of Old Friends Rally Team securing the position with a time of 61H 42′ 00”. The competition also features Jerome Sadeleer of MMP and Enrico Gaspari of TH-Trucks Team, both delivering competitive performances that showcase the category’s depth and excitement.
SSV General Classification after Stage 11
| POS. | N° | DRIVE-TEAM | TEAM | TIME | VARIATION |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 425 | Brock Heger / Max Eddy | Sebastien Loeb Racing – RZR Factory Racing | 58H 04′ 54” | – |
| 2 | 404 | Francisco Lopez Contardo / Juan Pablo Latrach | Can-Am Factory Team | 60H 10′ 54” | +02H 06′ 00” |
| 3 | 412 | Alexandre Pinto / Bernardo Oliveira | Old Friends Rally Team | 61H 42′ 00” | +03H 37′ 06” |
| 4 | 403 | Jerome Sadeleer / Diego Ortega Gil | MMP | 63H 27′ 07” | +05H 22′ 13” |
| 5 | 406 | Enrico Gaspari / Fausto Mota | TH-Trucks Team | 67H 58′ 09” | +09H 53′ 09” |
Key Highlights from Stage 11
- Technical Challenges: Stage 11 posed significant technical difficulties, with sandy dunes and unpredictable terrain testing the drivers’ endurance and vehicles’ capabilities. Navigation played a crucial role in determining the stage’s outcomes, as even minor errors proved costly.
- Strategic Racing: Competitors across all categories displayed remarkable strategic thinking, balancing speed with caution to avoid mechanical issues and navigation errors. This stage underscored the importance of teamwork and adaptability in a race as demanding as the Dakar Rally.
- Rising Stars and Seasoned Veterans: While experienced competitors like Yazeed Al Rajhi and Daniel Sanders solidified their leads, emerging talents showcased their potential, adding an extra layer of excitement to the rally.
Conclusion
As the Dakar Rally 2025 heads into its final stage, the competition across all categories remains fierce. Leaders like Yazeed Al Rajhi, Daniel Sanders, and Martin Macik are poised for victory, but the unpredictable nature of the race means nothing is guaranteed until the finish line is crossed. Fans and teams alike are bracing for an exhilarating finale, with everything to play for on the ultimate day of this iconic rally.
