The 2025 Dakar Rally continued to captivate motorsport fans worldwide with its second official stage, a 430-kilometer loop around Bisha, Saudi Arabia. Stage 2A brought dramatic shifts in leadership, mechanical challenges, and remarkable performances across all categories. The day ended with Saudi Arabia’s Yazeed Al-Rajhi taking a commanding lead in the car category, while competitors in motorcycles, quads, SSVs, and trucks fought through punishing terrain to secure crucial positions.
Car Category: Yazeed Al-Rajhi’s Rise Amidst Adversity
Yazeed Al-Rajhi emerged as the leader in the car category after delivering a flawless performance for Overdrive Racing. Al-Rajhi’s strategic approach and consistent speed allowed him to capitalize on setbacks experienced by rivals Carlos Sainz and Sébastien Loeb. His confidence was evident as he reflected, “The car handled perfectly today, and we navigated well. It’s great to lead in front of my home crowd” (Autosport).
Carlos Sainz, a two-time Dakar champion, faced significant challenges when his Ford overturned on a tight section of the stage. Despite suffering substantial damage, Sainz’s resilience shone through as he managed to continue, albeit at a reduced pace. “We lost a lot of time, but in Dakar, nothing is over until the final stage,” he remarked (Dakar.com).
Similarly, Sébastien Loeb, driving for Dacia, encountered mechanical issues that disrupted his pace. Loeb’s day encapsulated the unpredictable nature of the Dakar Rally, where even seasoned champions are vulnerable to its demanding conditions.
Car Category – Top 5 (General Classification):
| Position | Driver | Team | Time | Variation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yazeed Al-Rajhi | Overdrive Racing | 04H 25′ 18” | — |
| 2 | Nasser Al-Attiyah | Toyota Gazoo Racing | 04H 28′ 40” | +00H 03′ 22” |
| 3 | Guerlain Chicherit | X-Raid Mini JCW Team | 04H 30′ 03” | +00H 04′ 45” |
| 4 | Martin Prokop | Orlen Jipocar Team | 04H 30′ 57” | +00H 05′ 39” |
| 5 | Seth Quintero | Toyota Gazoo Racing | 04H 32′ 21” | +00H 07′ 03” |
Motorcycle Category: Daniel Sanders Extends His Dominance
Australian rider Daniel Sanders maintained his lead in the motorcycle division with another stellar performance aboard his KTM. Sanders’ aggressive riding style paid off as he navigated the complex course with precision. “It was a challenging day, but the bike felt amazing, and the rhythm was perfect,” Sanders shared (AS.com).
Spanish rider Tosha Schareina, representing Monster Energy Honda, continued his streak of consistent finishes, ending the stage in fourth place. Schareina’s performance has made him the standout Spanish competitor in this category, with his growing confidence evident in his words: “This stage was tough, but we are learning and improving every day” (Cadena SER).
Motorcycle Category – Top 5 (General Classification):
| Position | Rider | Team | Time | Variation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel Sanders | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing | 04H 45′ 18” | — |
| 2 | Ricky Brabec | Monster Energy Honda HRC | 04H 47′ 40” | +00H 02′ 22” |
| 3 | Ross Branch | Hero Motosports Team Rally | 04H 48′ 56” | +00H 03′ 38” |
| 4 | Tosha Schareina | Monster Energy Honda HRC | 04H 50′ 17” | +00H 05′ 59” |
| 5 | Skyler Howes | Husqvarna Racing | 04H 51′ 25” | +00H 06′ 07” |
Quad Category: Marcelo Medeiros Stays on Top
Marcelo Medeiros once again dominated the quad category, delivering a performance that highlighted his mastery over the challenging terrain. Medeiros’ commanding lead continues to reinforce his status as the favorite in this year’s rally. “It’s all about precision and keeping the momentum through these tough stages,” he remarked (Dakar.com).
Quad Category – Top 5 (General Classification):
| Position | Rider | Team | Time | Variation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marcelo Medeiros | Autonet Motorcycle Team | 05H 30′ 46” | — |
| 2 | Benjamin Melot | Esprit KTM | 05H 35′ 22” | +00H 04′ 36” |
| 3 | David Pabiska | SP Moto Bohemia | 05H 39′ 40” | +00H 08′ 54” |
| 4 | Mike Wiedemann | Wiedemann Motorsports | 05H 42′ 37” | +00H 11′ 51” |
| 5 | Jaromir Romancik | Cajdasrot | 05H 44′ 15” | +00H 13′ 29” |
SSV Category: De Mévius Navigates with Precision
Guillaume de Mévius exhibited exceptional navigation skills in the SSV category, allowing him to claim a top position. “The bushes and trees made it tricky, but we’re happy with the result,” De Mévius stated (Dakar.com).
SSV Category – Top 5 (General Classification):
| Position | Driver | Team | Time | Variation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Guillaume de Mévius | Red Bull Off-Road Junior Team | 04H 58′ 43” | — |
| 2 | Francisco Lopez | Can-Am Factory Team | 05H 00′ 18” | +00H 01′ 35” |
| 3 | Brock Heger | Sebastien Loeb Racing – RZR | 05H 02′ 23” | +00H 03′ 40” |
| 4 | Jeremias Gonzalez | Can-Am Factory Team | 05H 05′ 37” | +00H 06′ 54” |
| 5 | Alexandre Pinto | Old Friends Rally Team | 05H 09′ 50” | +00H 11′ 07” |
Truck Category: Van den Brink Surges Ahead
Mitchell van den Brink continued his steady performance in the truck category, showcasing the reliability and strength of his Eurol Rally Sport team. His focus remains unwavering as the competition intensifies. “We’re pushing hard but keeping the truck intact,” he said (Autosport).
Truck Category – Top 5 (General Classification):
| Position | Driver | Team | Time | Variation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mitchell van den Brink | Eurol Rally Sport | 05H 11′ 09” | — |
| 2 | Ales Loprais | Instatrade Loprais Team de Rooy | 05H 12′ 49” | +00H 01′ 40” |
| 3 | Martin Macik | MM Technology | 05H 13′ 38” | +00H 02′ 29” |
| 4 | Martin Soltys | Tatra Buggyra ZM Racing | 05H 15′ 47” | +00H 04′ 38” |
| 5 | Vaidotas Zala | Skuba Team de Rooy FPT | 05H 20′ 36” | +00H 09′ 27” |
Conclusion: A Stage of Triumphs and Challenges
Stage 2A of the Dakar Rally 2025 showcased the unpredictable and grueling nature of the competition. While Yazeed Al-Rajhi’s consistent performance earned him the lead in the car category, the challenges faced by top contenders like Carlos Sainz and Sébastien Loeb highlight the Dakar’s unforgiving terrain. Across all categories, competitors demonstrated skill, resilience, and determination, setting the stage for more thrilling battles in the days to come.
