The Dakar Rally 2025 officially kicked off today with stage one around Bisha, Saudi Arabia, featuring some intense racing amid challenging conditions. The total distance of 499 kilometers included 86 kilometers of liaison and 413 kilometers of special stage, putting competitors' navigation skills to the test from the very beginning.
Daniel Sanders from Red Bull KTM emerged victorious, completing the stage with a time of 4 hours, 35 minutes, and 8 seconds, showcasing his talent and focus throughout the demanding session. Following closely behind was last year’s champion, Ricky Brabec, with Ross Branch riding his Hero factory machine to complete the podium positions.
Race conditions were far from easy. The competition began with the altitude gradually rising to around 1,300 meters, changing the atmosphere for all competitors and affecting their performance.
Despite this, Sanders managed to capitalize on the opportunity and came out strong. “I was going so far the wrong way so many times…it made me sad,” noted Kove Rally Team’s Mason Klein, reflecting on the navigation difficulties faced by many. Navigational challenges were compounded by thick dust, which became particularly problematic as faster riders caught up with those struggling to maintain pace.
Among other challenges faced during the stage, Sebastian Buhler from Hero Motorsports crashed just under 70 kilometers from the start, resulting in his withdrawal from the race with suspected injuries.
Sanders, the frontrunner, commented on the competitive spirit: “Everyone held their line and didn’t want to play friendly. You had to charge it up, forget about the roadbook for a bit, and block pass to get in front.” This sentiment reflects the aggressive play among competitors as they jostled for position.
Riders were not only battling each other, but also the terrain itself, which featured mixture of canyons and sandy plateaus. Each rider had to deal with sharp bushes and navigation intricacies throughout the special stage. Brandon Goodwin from bids performed admirably amid these conditions, finishing strong as well.
Overall, the standings at the end of stage one show Sanders leading, but it's important to note the strategic positioning for the upcoming stages. Tomorrow starts the second stage, aptly named the 48H Chrono, which is truly novel for Dakar with its self-sufficient marathon format.
The 48H Chrono stage will challenge competitors significantly by requiring them to navigate the desert over nearly 1,000 kilometers across two days without assistance. The uniqueness of this stage heightens tension and strategy as teams will have to plan their bivouac stops based on distance covered.
“Tomorrow, we face the 48-hour Chrono stage, so the plan now is to recover and come back strong to fight for the top positions,” Rui Gonçalves optimistically said, aware of the importance of pacing and strategy now more than ever.
What’s more, competitors will be completely cut off from external communication during this stage, enhancing the element of surprise as riders will finish today’s stage at different bivouacs and resume racing from their respective rest zones the next morning.
Seth Quintero secured the top spot not just through speed but through strategic navigation, putting him and co-driver Dennis Zenz firmly as the ones to watch. “We drove at about 70% at the start and then started picking people off,” Quintero said, emphasizing the mix of speed and caution required on such strenuous terrains.
The new regulations implemented for the 48H Chrono format are expected to shuffle the competition, testing riders' endurance and adaptability under tough conditions. This stage is anticipated to be pivotal, with riders needing to preserve their mechanics and performance over consecutive days—a hallmark of rally-raid racing.
Fans and teams alike are eager to see how the riders cope with these additional hurdles and what strategies will emerge as the stage two beckons. What’s certain is today’s opener has set the stage for what promises to be another thrilling Dakar Rally. With individual challenges and team strategies intertwining continuously, it’s clear why Dakar remains one of the toughest motorsport events globally.
Tomorrow, attention will shift to the 48H Chrono stage, which could either cement the leading positions or shake up the overall standings dramatically as the riders continue through rugged desert conditions.