2025 Dakar Rally Stage 2 overall: Sanders continues to lead the bikes; Lategan dominates in the cars category

The second stage of the 2025 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia – which was the gruelling 48-hour Chrono stage, has culminated, and Daniel Sanders continues to lead the bikes category, with Rokas Baciuska grabbing the top spot in the cars category after the second stage.

2025 Dakar Rally bikes

Daniel Sanders from the Red Bull KTM Factory team won the top spot in the bikes category in the previous stage as well, after an impressive performance in the 48 hour Chrono stage. The Chrono stage meant that when the clock struck five, the riders were required to stop at the nearest of six designated rest areas, where they would effectively be completely isolated from the outside world. With no team assistance or external support, competitors would have to rely solely on their own resources, preparing their own meals and setting up camp under the desert stars. Despite this challenging format, Skyler Howes from Monster Energy Honda came in second place in the bike category by the end of the second stage, with Ross Branch from Hero MotoSports completing the podium in the bikes category.

2025 Dakar Rally cars

Henk Lategan stands first in the overall classification after the culmination of the second stage, leading the pack in the cars category for Toyota Gazoo Racing. Yazeed Al Rajhi from the Overdrive Racing team was the runner’s up in the cars category after the 48 hour Chrono stage, with Dakar Rally veteran Nasser Al-Attiyah in third place in the overall standings after the end of Stage 2, driving with The Dacia Sandriders team. This stage also saw Carlos Sainz retire from the race. Though he is more used to leaving his rivals trailing in his dust rather than biting it himself, four times Dakar winner and title holder Sainz rolled his car onto its roof after 327 km.

'El Matador’ emerged from this mishap somewhat ruffled (especially his machine) but not ready to give up. With his Ford Raptor missing the majority of its bodywork elements as well as its windshield, the Sainz-Cruz duo threw themselves back into the remaining 640 km to be covered. On arrival in Bisha, the Spaniard trailed the new leader of the Dakar by 1 hour 35 minutes and was forced to accept that it was time to surrender his crown. After inspection of his pick-up by his M-Sport team and the FIA, it became apparent that it was no longer in a state to ensure his safety during the race. Following the premature exit from the race by Laia Sanz the day before yesterday after a double roll, Cristina Gutiérrez and Nani Roma were forced to exit the special after Stage 2. The latter two competitors will resume the rally with penalties of 48 and 52 hours respectively.

2025 Dakar Rally trucks

The trio of Martin Macik, Frantisek Tomasek and David Svanda from MM Technology now stand in first place in the overall standings when it comes to the trucks category, with the second place going to Ales Loprais, Darek Rodewald and David Kripal from InstaTrade Loprais Team De Rooy FPT. The podium was completed by Vaidotas Zala, Paulo Fiuza and Max Van Grol from Skuba Team De Rooy FPT, now standing third overall in the trucks category after the second stage of the Dakar Rally culminated.

Indians at the 2025 Dakar Rally

Ashish Raorane, racing for Xraids Experience, is currently in 97th position overall, after the end of Stage 2 of the 2025 Dakar Rally. Indian rider Jatin Jain is in 124th place and has now moved to the Experience class of the rally. Moving to four wheels, Sanjay Takale, who is racing in the Classic category with the Compagne Saharienne team is in 40th place overall after the end of Stage 2.

Stage 3 of the 2025 Dakar Rally will take the competitors northwards from Bisha to Al Henakiyah, through technical sections at the beginning of the stage, giving way to faster sections where the competitors can go full throttle. It is certainly a stage where competitors might be able to make up time and move higher up in the standings, and you can stay tuned to the action on our Instagram handle for more updates.