Yazeed Al-Rajhi Claims First Dakar Rally Victory, Sanders Triumphs in Motorcycle Category

Posted : 17 January 2025

The 2025 Dakar Rally concluded on a high note, with local hero Yazeed Al-Rajhi making history as the first Saudi Arabian driver to win the grueling event. Al-Rajhi, racing for Overdrive, secured his victory after 12 intense stages, finishing just under four minutes ahead of South Africa’s Henk Lategan.

The final day saw Lategan, who had been trailing by more than six minutes after stage 11, pushing hard in an attempt to close the gap but falling short. He finished in second place overall, marking a close yet thrilling race for the top spot.

Al-Rajhi’s triumph marked a historic milestone, not only for Saudi Arabia but also for the private teams competing in the event. His win ended a 25-year streak where no private team had managed to defeat the factory-backed teams.

Celebrating at the finish line, Al-Rajhi expressed his immense happiness, describing the rally as the toughest he had ever participated in. His teammates hoisted him onto their shoulders, and he was met with a rousing reception, reflecting the significance of his achievement. “We’ve made a lot of records today,” he said, emphasizing the rarity of his win.

Lategan, who had been leading the race earlier in the competition, expressed both disappointment and gratitude. Although his hopes of clinching the title were dashed by the small margin, he reflected on the valuable experience gained throughout the race.

The Toyota driver acknowledged that coming back after a year’s absence and immediately competing with the top contenders was a monumental achievement in itself. Despite the setback, he vowed to return stronger in the next edition of the rally, displaying the resilience that has become characteristic of top Dakar competitors.

In the overall standings, five-time Dakar winner Nasser Al-Attiyah finished in fourth place, just behind Lategan. Al-Attiyah’s consistent performances throughout the rally secured him a top-five finish, while Brazilian Lucas Moraes, who had a disastrous stage on the previous weekend, recovered to finish strong, winning the day’s stage ahead of Al-Attiyah.

The competitive nature of the rally was evident, with several drivers pushing their limits to make up for lost time, further highlighting the challenge of this off-road endurance event.

Meanwhile, in the motorcycle category, Daniel Sanders secured his victory, becoming the second Australian to win the Dakar Rally in this discipline. Sanders, racing for Red Bull KTM, managed to hold off Spain’s Tosha Schareina, who finished in second place, with Sanders finishing the rally nearly nine minutes ahead of Schareina.

Reflecting on his success, Sanders expressed the overwhelming emotions he felt as he approached the finish line. Having already won the six-day international enduro, winning the Dakar Rally was the culmination of his career goals.

Schareina, while pleased with his performance, graciously congratulated Sanders on his win. He acknowledged that Sanders’ lead, built up on the first day, allowed him to control the race in the subsequent stages.

Defending champion Ricky Brabec, who had faced a difficult rally, finished in fifth place, trailing Sanders by more than 12 minutes. The final standings in the motorcycle category underscored the intense competition, with Sanders' steady pace and resilience allowing him to take home the coveted Dakar title.

Yazeed Al-Rajhi Claims First Dakar Rally Victory, Sanders Triumphs in Motorcycle Category

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