2025 Dakar Rally Stage 4: Sanders dominates, Lategan and Al Rajhi charge forward

The 2025 Dakar Rally continued to impress with fierce competition across all categories during Stage 4, which took competitors through the stunning and treacherous terrain of Al Ula. Known for its prehistoric rock formations and temples, Al Ula provided a breathtaking backdrop to another intense day of racing. Here’s how the action unfolded:

2025 Dakar Rally: Bikes

Daniel Sanders (Red Bull KTM) dominated the stage, securing his fourth win of the year. After a steady start, Sanders capitalised on others’ mistakes and pushed past fierce competitors, including Honda’s Tosha Schareina and Hero MotoSports’ Jose Cornejo. At km 27, Honda led a provisional 1-2-3 with Howes, Quintanilla, and Brabec, but Sanders took control by km 27, clocking the fastest time, 8 seconds ahead of teammate Schareina. By km 65, Sanders extended his lead, and by km 151, he had a 10-minute advantage over Branch and Howes. But others were quick to fight back and eventually, Skyler Howes, Ross Branch, and defending champion Ricky Brabec held the lead, but a costly navigational error around 15km from the finish line cost them valuable time, with Branch, Howes, and Brabec now trailing by over 26, 27, and 29 minutes, respectively in the overall standings.

2025 Dakar Rally: Cars

Saudi driver Yazeed Al Rajhi (Overdrive Racing) claimed a decisive victory in Stage 4, finishing 4 minutes and 51 seconds ahead of overall leader Henk Lategan (Toyota Gazoo Racing), narrowing the gap to just 6 minutes and 54 seconds. Lategan had led early, posting the fastest time at km 27, but Al Rajhi, starting 18th, used the tracks of his rivals to surge ahead. Mattias Ekstrom also struggled, falling over five minutes behind Al Rajhi by km 65, while Nasser Al Attiyah’s stage was derailed by a puncture and a broken steering joint, leading to two lengthy stops. Despite assistance from teammate Cristina Gutierrez, Al Attiyah lost 33 minutes, dropping nearly 36 minutes behind the leaders.

As Al Attiyah struggled, Al Rajhi held steady, clocking the fastest time at km 105 and extending his lead with Lategan 3 minutes and 13 seconds behind. Lategan struck back slightly at km 289, closing the gap to Al Rajhi to 5 minutes and 19 seconds. By km 346, however, Al Rajhi had widened his lead to over 8 minutes. Finally, Al Rajhi sealed his victory for the stage, clocking the fastest time at the finish, with a 4min, 51sec cushion over Lategan. This win puts Al Rajhi within striking distance of the overall lead, trailing Lategan by just 6 minutes and 54 seconds.

Henk Lategan still holds the overall lead after Stage 4.

2025 Dakar Rally: Trucks

In the trucks category, reigning champion Martin Macik (MM Technology) continued his dominance with a stage win. Despite some early challenges, Macik extended his lead over his closest rival and yesterday’s winner, Ales Loprais (InstaTrade Loprais Team De Rooy FPT). Both of the competitors were very closely matched till the 249 km mark after which Macik gained a lot of time and took the win.

2025 Dakar Rally: Indians in the Rally

In the bikes class, Ashish Raorane, riding with Xraids Experience, finished 114th today, after picking up over 31 hours as penalties and holds 109th place after Stage 4. Jatin Jain, who retired from the rally earlier in Stage 2 is continuing in Dakar Experience and finished 106th today. Overall, he’s 119th.

Sanjay Takale, after securing India’s first top 10 finish in the Dakar Classic category finished 29th today and holds 28th place overall.

With Sanders continuing to lead the bike standings and Lategan holding on to a slim margin in the cars category, the fight for the podium promises to intensify. Meanwhile, competitors like Nasser Al Attiyah and Ross Branch will be eager to make up time.