Local hero Yazeed Al-Rajhi secured his first Dakar title on Friday, finishing the 12-stage rally almost four minutes ahead of his closest competitor Henk Lategan, while Red Bull KTM's Daniel Sanders maintained his lead to win in the motorcycle category.
South Africa's Lategan, who lost his lead on Thursday and was trailing Al-Rajhi by over six minutes at the start of stage 12 in Shubaytah, made a fast start but was unable to catch up with the Saudi Arabian in the shorter 61 km (38 miles) special.
Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings secured an incredible podium finish at Dakar 2025! A proud moment for the #TGRSA team—what an unforgettable journey! 🏁 #BackTGRSA #TGRSADakar2025 pic.twitter.com/xQB1sprFHB
— Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa (@TGRSouthAfrica) January 17, 2025
The off-road endurance event, which moved to Saudi Arabia in 2020 after a decade in South America, was originally held between Paris and the Senegalese capital Dakar. It moved out of the Europe-to-Africa route format after the 2007 edition over security concerns.
Overdrive's Al-Rajhi, who became the first Saudi Arabian to win the Dakar Rally, received a rousing welcome at the finish line with teammates lifting the 43-year-old on their shoulders.
"I'm very, very happy to do it. It's not an easy race, it’s the toughest one that I’ve done in 11 years," Al-Rajhi said.
"For sure, we've made a lot of records today. The first Saudi driver to win and also in the last 25 years no private team beat a factory team but we did it this time."
What a day! 🔥 Enjoy these final TOP MOMENTS from Stage 12 with the mass start and the final victory for @Yazeed_AlRajhi confirmed! 🏆
— DAKAR RALLY (@dakar) January 17, 2025
Presented by @catrionglobal #Dakar2025 #DakarInSaudi pic.twitter.com/XcV9gOyTVH
Toyota's Lategan, who finished three minutes and 57 seconds behind Al-Rajhi, said he gained valuable experience from the race.
"I sat out a year and to jump back in and immediately be fighting with the top guys is unbelievable. We had a great race. It’s sad to lose it by such a small margin with everything that’s happened but we'll come back fighting," he added.
TGR_W2RC: And that's a wrap from the 2025 Dakar! A memorable race for all the #TGRSA Dakar2025 crews, and a bitter sweet second place podium finish for Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings who got to within just 4 minutes of overall victory. Here's what they… pic.twitter.com/rYRAsswmDf
— Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa (@TGRSouthAfrica) January 17, 2025
Five-time Dakar winner Nasser Al-Attiyah finished second on the day to take fourth place overall. Brazilian Lucas Moraes, who fell out of the championship race after losing nearly three hours on Saturday, won the stage finishing 33 seconds ahead of Qatar's Al-Attiyah.
A well-deserved moment of glory for every team! 🚗🏆#W2RC #FIA #Dakar2025 pic.twitter.com/sGNyryvbfh
— World Rally-Raid Championship 🚗 🏍 (@OfficialW2RC) January 17, 2025
In the motorcycle category, Sanders left second-placed Spaniard Tosha Schareina eight minutes and 50 seconds behind in the overall rankings to become the second Australian to win the Dakar title after Toby Price.
“When I came out of the dunes ... I could see the bivouac and I just got instant chills through my whole body, I was super nervous. I couldn’t believe it. All the emotions started coming through and I could see the finishing line," Sanders said.
"It’s the biggest race in the world of motorbikes and off-roading. To win the six-day international enduro and now the Dakar, it’s just ticked off all the goals for my career and everything I’ve wanted to achieve."
Second-placed Schareina congratulated Sanders on his victory.
"I’m super happy for Daniel, he has done a great job and had a great two weeks. I think the 10 minutes more or less he took on the first day allowed him to control the race from then," the Spaniard added.
Defending champion Ricky Brabec finished fifth overall, with the American trailing Sanders by over 12 minutes.
BOOOOOOM! 💥 Enjoy the Top Moments from the Bikes as the riders wrapped #Dakar2025 in style 🤘
— DAKAR RALLY (@dakar) January 17, 2025
Presented by @CatrionGlobal 📺#DakarInSaudi pic.twitter.com/fK6uecQ3ew