Doha, Qatar – Mitch Guthrie of the United States secured his second stage victory in the Ultimate class of the 48th Dakar Rally on Thursday, further solidifying his position as a contender in the grueling off-road race. The stage, a 371km timed return leg of the marathon stage near Hail, Saudi Arabia, saw Ford vehicles dominate the top three positions, while South African Henk Lategan maintained his overall lead despite a challenging day of navigation. Qatar’s Nasser Al-Attiyah also remains firmly in contention, holding onto his podium position.
The 2024 Dakar Rally, which began on January 1st, is being held entirely within Saudi Arabia for the fifth consecutive year. The event tests drivers and riders across diverse terrain, including dunes, canyons, and rocky plateaus, and is widely considered one of the most demanding motorsport competitions in the world. This year’s rally features over 400 vehicles and riders competing in various categories.
Guthrie’s Stage Win and Lategan’s Overall Lead in the Dakar Rally
Guthrie completed the stage just four seconds ahead of teammate Nani Roma, but a one-minute speeding penalty for the Spaniard elevated Guthrie to the top of the stage classification. Ford completed a clean sweep of the podium, with Roma finishing second and Martin Prokop third. This performance highlights Ford’s growing strength in the rally.
However, the day wasn’t without its challenges. Lategan, opening the stage without the benefit of prior bike tracks, faced a significant navigational hurdle. Despite losing over 12 minutes to Guthrie, he managed to limit the damage and retain the overall lead. His ability to navigate effectively is proving crucial to his success.
Al-Attiyah Maintains Podium Position
Nasser Al-Attiyah finished 15th on the stage but remains second in the general classification. The Qatari driver emphasized a conservative approach, prioritizing pace management and avoiding mechanical issues. “It was not an easy stage,” Al-Attiyah stated, focusing on minimizing risks and completing the marathon stage without punctures.
The overall standings remain relatively stable at the top, with Lategan leading, Al-Attiyah in second, and Mattias Ekstrom in third. Nani Roma climbed to fourth, displacing Carlos Sainz, while Guthrie’s strong performance propelled him to sixth overall. The shifting positions demonstrate the unpredictable nature of the Dakar Rally.
Benavides Secures Bike Category Victory; Sanders Reclaims Lead
In the bike category, Luciano Benavides of Argentina claimed victory, finishing 3 minutes 51 seconds ahead of Chile’s Ignacio Cornejo. Australia’s Daniel Sanders secured third place, a result that proved pivotal in regaining the overall lead. The Benavides family continues to be a force in the motorcycle competition, following Kevin Benavides’ win in 2024 at the same location.
Sanders, who previously led after stages two and three, overtook Tosha Schareina to reclaim the top spot in the general classification. He now holds a 1 minute 59 second advantage over the Spaniard. American Ricky Brabec sits in third, 2 minutes 02 seconds behind, while Luciano Benavides moved up to fourth overall. The competition in the bike category remains incredibly tight, with several riders within striking distance of the lead.
The Dakar Rally continues to test the endurance and skill of competitors. The challenging terrain and demanding schedule require not only speed but also strategic navigation and mechanical expertise. The event also showcases the latest advancements in off-road vehicle technology and rally racing.
The rally is scheduled to conclude on January 19th in Yanbu. Stage 6, scheduled for Friday, will present a new set of challenges as competitors head towards Shubaytah. Observers will be watching to see if Lategan can maintain his lead and whether Al-Attiyah can close the gap, as well as how the bike category contenders respond to Sanders’ regained leadership. Weather conditions and potential mechanical failures remain key uncertainties that could impact the outcome of the race.
Official Dakar Rally Website
Source Article
Dakar Rally – Wikipedia
