Dakar 2025: Day 13 – A Thrilling Stage 10 within the Empty Quarter Desert

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Dakar 2025: Day 13 – A Thrilling Stage 10 in the Empty Quarter Desert

Route Highlights: Haradh to Shubaytah
Stage 10 of the Dakar Rally 2025 noticed rivals traverse a difficult route via the enduring Empty Quarter Desert. With a liaison of 520 km and a 115 km particular, the stage examined the resilience and talent of all contributors. The day delivered drama, comeback tales, and a glimpse of the fierce competitors that defines the Dakar.

Dania Akeel’s Unbelievable Comeback
Native hero Dania Akeel, who confronted heartbreak earlier within the rally with a damaged wishbone on her Taurus T3 Max, made historical past by clinching a surprising stage victory. Not solely did she dominate the Challenger class, however she additionally secured the third-fastest time amongst all four-wheeled autos, outpacing even Final class vehicles. Reflecting on her achievement, Akeel remarked, “The dunes have been a lot enjoyable, it was a bit like crusing a ship on the ocean.” Her efficiency additionally earned her 5 essential World Rally-Raid Championship factors, cementing her place in rally historical past.

Challenger Class: A Shut Battle
Akeel shared the Challenger podium with Pau Navarro and Gonçalo Guerreiro, each driving Taurus T3 Max autos. Guerreiro, who lowered Nicolas Cavigliasso’s total result in simply 26 minutes, expressed confidence in his workforce’s tempo: “This was our first massive dunes of the rally. I believe we’ve the tempo to do higher.” With two levels left, the Challenger class guarantees extra pleasure.

Nani Roma’s Triumphant Return
Spaniard Nani Roma, a two-time Dakar winner, claimed his first stage victory since 2015. Driving for Ford M-Sport, Roma completed 18 seconds forward of Lucas Moraes. “I’m joyful for the workforce due to all of the arduous work they’ve been placing in,” mentioned Roma. His victory marked Ford M-Sport’s first-ever Dakar stage win, highlighting the workforce’s dedication and progress.

Final Class: Tight on the High
South Africa’s Henk Lategan now leads the Final class, with Yazeed Al Rajhi trailing by simply 2 minutes and 27 seconds. Sweden’s Mattias Ekström and Qatar’s Nasser Al-Attiyah stay in competition, albeit round half an hour behind the chief. Ekström admitted that strategic positioning for the following stage was his precedence: “Ending on the rostrum could be good, however there’s nonetheless two robust days.”

SSV Class: Chaleco López’s Cost
Chilean driver Francisco “Chaleco” López claimed his fifth stage win within the SSV class however stays third total. López acknowledged the challenges posed by the blinding daylight and tender sand: “We pushed as a lot as we might and we’re proud of our end result.” With Brock Heger and Xavier de Soultrait forward, López will want distinctive performances within the last levels to climb additional.

Bike Class: Daniel Sanders Extends His Lead
Australian rider Daniel Sanders delivered one other stellar efficiency, extending his result in 16 minutes and 31 seconds. Sanders described the stage as “scorching, arduous, and difficult,” with super-soft sand and technical sections. In the meantime, Luciano Benavides of Argentina eyes the rostrum, aiming to shut the hole on Frenchman Adrien Van Beveren.

Trying Forward: Stage 11
The penultimate stage on Thursday guarantees extra drama, with the Empty Quarter Desert’s unpredictability holding the competitors large open. One misstep within the treacherous dunes might alter the leaderboard dramatically.