Nani Roma wins stage as Lategan returns to the lead and Nasser miss opportunity to reduce the gap
Stage 10 of the Dakar Rally 2025, set in the heart of Saudi Arabia’s vast and unforgiving desert, stood out as one of the most pivotal days in this year’s competition. The intense stage tested the mettle of competitors across all categories, blending technical navigation with the physical endurance required to overcome the challenging terrain. The stage unfolded with dramatic moments that reshaped the overall standings, rewarding the brave while penalizing the unprepared.
Veterans like Nani Roma and Daniel Sanders lived up to their reputations, while rising stars like Brock Heeger in the SSV class continued to shine. Meanwhile, leaders in the general classifications grappled with mounting pressure as they inched closer to the finish line. Here’s a closer look at the highlights and the general classification standings after Stage 10.
Cars: Nani Roma Leads the Stage, Henk Lategan Retakes Overall Lead
The cars category delivered a mix of surprises and consistency. Nani Roma, a two-time Dakar champion, showcased a masterclass of experience and strategy, securing the fastest time on Stage 10. Roma’s performance emphasized the importance of precise navigation and a well-maintained vehicle, especially as competitors faced some of the most challenging dunes yet. His victory in the stage added a layer of unpredictability to the category, demonstrating that the Dakar Rally remains a race of endurance, not just speed.
The overall standings, however, told a different story. South African driver Henk Lategan of Toyota Gazoo Racing reclaimed the lead in the general classification, with an exceptional display of resilience and consistency. Lategan’s ability to tackle the stage’s complex terrain and maintain his composure under pressure proved decisive.
Yazeed Al Rajhi, carrying the hopes of Saudi Arabia, battled through navigational issues that cost him crucial time but remained competitive in the overall standings. He vowed to push harder in the coming stages to maintain his position. Nasser Al-Attiyah, a veteran and previous winner of the Dakar Rally, endured a significant setback. A navigational error added stress to his day, leaving him over 30 minutes behind the leader. Despite the frustration, Al-Attiyah remains within striking distance, a testament to his competitive spirit.
General Classification after Stage 10 – Cars
| POS. | N° | EXP. | DRIVE-TEAM | TEAM | TIME | VARIATION | PENALTY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 211 | (ZAF) Henk Lategan, (ZAF) Brett Cummings | Toyota Gazoo Racing | 47H 29′ 57” | 00H 00′ 00” | 00H 02′ 00” | |
| 2 | 201 | (SAU) Yazeed Al Rajhi, (DEU) Timo Gottschalk | Overdrive Racing | 47H 32′ 24” | +00H 02′ 27” | 00H 04′ 00” | |
| 3 | 226 | (SWE) Mattias Ekström, (SWE) Emil Bergkvist | Ford M-Sport | 47H 56′ 43” | +00H 26′ 46” | 00H 01′ 00” | |
| 4 | 200 | (QAT) Nasser Al-Attiyah, (FRA) Edouard Boulanger | The Dacia Sandriders | 48H 00′ 18” | +00H 30′ 21” | 00H 17′ 00” | |
| 5 | 228 | (USA) Mitchell Guthrie, (USA) Kellon Walch | Ford M-Sport | 48H 24′ 02” | +00H 54′ 05” | 00H 12′ 00” |
Bikes: Daniel Sanders in a Class of His Own
Daniel Sanders, the Australian sensation riding for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, continued his dominant form in Stage 10. With unmatched skill and tenacity, Sanders extended his lead in the general classification while clinching the stage win. His ability to read the terrain and execute near-perfect navigation earned him accolades from fans and competitors alike. Sanders reflected on the stage, stating, “It was tough out there, but the bike felt great, and we pushed where we could.”
Tosha Schareina, representing Monster Energy Honda HRC, delivered a strong performance, finishing second on the stage and cementing his position as one of Sanders’ closest rivals. Adrien Van Beveren, also of Monster Energy Honda HRC, maintained consistency, finishing within striking distance. Meanwhile, Luciano Benavides and Ricky Brabec demonstrated determination, though they faced minor challenges that kept them from breaking into the top spots.
The intense competition in the bikes category showcased the diversity of talent and highlighted the unpredictable nature of the Dakar Rally. With only a few stages left, every second will count for riders aiming to challenge Sanders’ lead.
General Classification after Stage 10 – Bikes
| POS. | N° | EXP. | DRIVE-TEAM | TEAM | TIME | VARIATION | PENALTY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | (AUS) Daniel Sanders | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing | 49H 53′ 59” | 00H 00′ 00” | 00H 01′ 00” | |
| 2 | 68 | (ESP) Tosha Schareina | Monster Energy Honda HRC | 50H 10′ 30” | +00H 16′ 31” | 00H 02′ 00” | |
| 3 | 42 | (FRA) Adrien Van Beveren | Monster Energy Honda HRC | 50H 16′ 23” | +00H 22′ 24” | 00H 02′ 00” | |
| 4 | 77 | (ARG) Luciano Benavides | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing | 50H 23′ 13” | +00H 29′ 14” | 00H 02′ 00” | |
| 5 | 9 | (USA) Ricky Brabec | Monster Energy Honda HRC | 50H 26′ 17” | +00H 32′ 18” | 00H 02′ 00” |
Trucks: A Masterclass from Martin Macik
Martin Macik and his team from MM Technology delivered a flawless performance, conquering Stage 10 with skill and precision. His ability to tackle the terrain with speed and control gave him a well-earned stage win. Behind him, Mitchell van den Brink from Eurol Rally Sport put up a valiant effort, maintaining pressure on Macik while holding his own in the overall standings.
Ales Loprais, who remains a key contender, showed his grit by overcoming early difficulties to finish strong. The trucks category exemplifies the sheer scale and power required to compete at Dakar, with each team relying heavily on coordination, mechanical expertise, and the resilience of their drivers.
General Classification after Stage 10 – Trucks
| POS. | N° | EXP. | DRIVE-TEAM | TEAM | TIME | VARIATION | PENALTY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 600 | (CZE) Martin Macik, (CZE) Frantisek Tomasek | MM Technology | 52H 39′ 23” | 00H 00′ 00” | 00H 03′ 50” | |
| 2 | 602 | (NLD) Mitchell van den Brink, (ESP) Moises Torrallardona | Eurol Rally Sport | 55H 01′ 30” | +02H 22′ 07” | 00H 02′ 00” | |
| 3 | 601 | (CZE) Ales Loprais, (CZE) David Kripal | Instatrade Loprais Team | 55H 05′ 38” | +02H 26′ 15” | 00H 09′ 00” | |
| 4 | 604 | (CZE) Martin Soltys, (CZE) Vlastimil Miksch | Tatra Buggyra ZM Racing | 57H 56′ 28” | +05H 17′ 05” | 00H 09′ 00” | |
| 5 | 603 | (NLD) Kees Koolen, (NLD) Wouter de Graaff | MM Technology | 58H 48′ 02” | +06H 08′ 39” | 00H 09′ 20” |
SSV: Brock Heeger Reigns Supreme
The SSV category witnessed a stunning performance from Brock Heeger and Max Eddy, representing Sebastien Loeb Racing. Heeger, known for his calculated aggression, tackled the dunes with an unrelenting pace, securing the top spot on Stage 10 and further solidifying his lead in the overall standings.
Xavier De Soultrait and Martin Bonnet made a notable impact with their consistent performance, maintaining pressure on Heeger. Francisco Lopez Contardo and his co-driver, Juan Pablo Latrach, held their ground with a solid finish, keeping their podium hopes alive. The SSV category continues to captivate fans with its close competition and high-octane battles.
General Classification after Stage 10 – SSV
| POS. | N° | EXP. | DRIVE-TEAM | TEAM | TIME | VARIATION | PENALTY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 425 | (USA) Brock Heeger, (USA) Max Eddy | Sebastien Loeb Racing – RZR Factory Racing | 53H 25′ 31” | 00H 00′ 00” | 00H 25′ 00” | |
| 2 | 400 | (FRA) Xavier De Soultrait, (FRA) Martin Bonnet | Sebastien Loeb Racing – RZR Factory Racing | 55H 15′ 24” | +01H 49′ 53” | 00H 04′ 00” | |
| 3 | 404 | (CHL) Francisco Lopez Contardo, (CHL) Juan Pablo Latrach | Can-Am Factory Team | 55H 32′ 18” | +02H 06′ 47” | 00H 19′ 55” | |
| 4 | 412 | (PRT) Alexandre Pinto, (PRT) Bernardo Oliveira | Old Friends Rally Team | 56H 48′ 47” | +03H 23′ 16” | 00H 30′ 30” | |
| 5 | 403 | (CHE) Jerome Sadeleer, (ESP) Diego Ortega Gil | MMP | 58H 16′ 01” | +04H 50′ 30” | 00H 03′ 30” |
Challenger: Nicolas Cavigliasso Takes Command
The Challenger category showcased the dominance of Nicolas Cavigliasso and Valentina Pertegarini of Team BBR. The Argentine duo executed a near-flawless run, navigating the terrain with precision and maintaining their lead in the overall classification. Their consistency throughout the rally has been unmatched, leaving their competitors struggling to keep up.
Goncalo Guerreiro and Cadu Sachs of the Red Bull Off-Road JR Team delivered a strong performance, keeping their hopes alive with a podium finish on the stage. Pau Navarro and Lisandro Sisterna Herrera rounded off the top three with a steady showing, proving their resilience as the competition heats up.
General Classification after Stage 10 – Challenger
| POS. | N° | EXP. | DRIVE-TEAM | TEAM | TIME | VARIATION | PENALTY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 301 | (ARG) Nicolas Cavigliasso, (ARG) Valentina Pertegarini | Team BBR | 51H 54′ 09” | 00H 00′ 00” | 00H 05′ 00” | |
| 2 | 319 | (PRT) Goncalo Guerreiro, (BRA) Cadu Sachs | Red Bull Off-Road JR Team USA by BFG | 52H 20′ 09” | +00H 26′ 00” | 00H 01′ 10” | |
| 3 | 304 | (ESP) Pau Navarro, (ARG) Lisandro Sisterna Herrera | Team BBR | 53H 37′ 02” | +01H 42′ 53” | 00H 26′ 00” | |
| 4 | 334 | (QAT) Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari, (QAT) Nasser Al-Kuwari | Nasser Racing | 54H 37′ 21” | +02H 43′ 12” | 00H 30′ 00” | |
| 5 | 325 | (USA) Corbin Leaverton, (ZAF) Taye Perry | Red Bull Off-Road JR Team USA by BFG | 55H 45′ 50” | +03H 51′ 41” | 00H 03′ 00” |
The Dakar Rally 2025 continues to push competitors to their limits, with every category offering its own unique set of challenges and triumphs. Stage 10 was a defining moment in the race, setting the stage for an intense finish. With the competition heating up, fans are eagerly anticipating the drama that lies ahead.
