Saudi driver Yazeed al-Rajhi took the lead within the total automobile standings on the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia after ending third in Thursday’s decisive penultimate stage.

Opened a major hole

Swedish driver Mattias Ekstrom (Ford) received the eleventh stage, ending the 275km particular in Empty Quarter dunes 41 seconds forward of Nasser al-Attiyah (Dacia) with Rajhi (Overdrive) finishing the rostrum, at 1:45.

Rajhi, who trailed chief, South Africa’s Henk Lategan (Toyota), by 2:27 going into Thursday’s stage, not solely caught his rival however opened up a major hole.

He now leads the South African by 6:11 going into Friday’s closing stage.

“I knew I could do it. I trusted myself, I attacked and enjoyed,” mentioned the 43-year-old Saudi on the end.

The twelfth and closing stage on Friday is principally symbolic, with a timed particular of simply 61km, which is able to make it arduous for Lategan to change the result.

Barring any surprises, Rajhi will develop into the primary Saudi competitor to win the Dakar Rally, which has been based mostly in Saudi Arabia since 2020.

Lategan, now second total, completed fifth on the day 10:23 behind Ekstrom who’s 16:23 again in third within the total standings

“We couldn’t have done better today, I tried everything,” mentioned Lategan.

“I’m no dune expert but I’m happy to be at the finish with the car in one piece. It’s incredible, we had a very good Dakar with ups and downs, but overall I’m happy.”

Daniel Sanders on observe

Spanish rider Tosha Schareina received a fog-shortened penultimate bike stage whereas Daniel Sanders remained on target to develop into the second Australian to win the class.

Schareina’s victory in 2:12:04 on the 112km eleventh stage particular didn’t, nonetheless, permit the Honda rider, who’s second total, to threaten Saunders’ grip on the race.

The Spaniard clawed again 7:31 however Sanders nonetheless has a 9 min lead going into Friday’s closing stage so if he safely negotiates the 61km particular he’ll emulate the achievement of fellow Aussie Toby Price who received the bikes in 2016 and 2018.

Due to an early morning fog that prevented the organisation’s helicopters from taking off, the stage started three hours late.

The climate situations pressured the organisers to cease the bike particular stage after 152km, out of the 308km initially deliberate, to keep away from the riders having to trip at nighttime.

Argentinian Luciano Benavides (KTM) completed second within the stage at 33 seconds with Adrien Van Beveren (Honda) an extra 24 seconds behind.

The Frenchman can also be third within the provisional total standings, 15:50 behind Sanders.

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