The much-anticipated Stage 10 of the 2025 Dakar Rally saw competitors finally take on the majestic dunes of the Empty Quarter, with a grueling 520-kilometer liaison followed by a 115-kilometer special stage. As the rally reached the shores of the Arabian Gulf, the day belonged to those who showcased their mastery of the challenging terrain, with Dania Akeel and Nani Roma delivering standout performances.
Akeel’s Remarkable Comeback
Saudi driver Dania Akeel, who had seen her Challenger class podium hopes slip away earlier in the rally, staged an incredible comeback on Stage 10. Not only did she win her class, but her Taurus T3 Max also posted the third-fastest time among all four-wheeled vehicles, beaten only by two Ultimate class cars. Akeel’s victory made her just the fourth woman to win a stage at the Dakar Rally, joining the ranks of Jutta Kleinschmidt, Cristina Gutiérrez, and Sara Price.
“I saw the board at the end of the stage, and it said we were third overall! The dunes were so much fun; it was a bit like sailing a boat on the sea,” exclaimed an elated Akeel.
Roma Claims First Ultimate Stage Win for Ford
Nani Roma, the 2004 Dakar bike champion and 2014 car champion, brought his vast experience to bear, securing his first Ultimate stage win of the year and the first-ever for Ford M-Sport. The 52-year-old Spaniard finished 18 seconds ahead of Brazilian Lucas Moraes, marking his 26th career Dakar stage victory across both bike and car categories.
“I’m happy for the team because of all the hard work they have been putting in. We saw a positive outcome for all we have been doing to improve the car,” said Roma.
Lategan Retakes Overall Lead
In the overall standings, South African Henk Lategan capitalized on the misfortunes of his rivals to retake the lead in the Ultimate category. He now holds a slim 2-minute, 27-second advantage over Saudi driver Yazeed Al Rajhi, who got stuck in a hollow during the stage. Mattias Ekström, who eased up for strategic reasons near the finish, lies third, 26 minutes and 46 seconds adrift.
Nasser Al Attiyah’s chances of victory took a hit when he lost around 20 minutes to Roma due to navigational errors. However, with Ekström just 4 minutes ahead, the Qatari still has a shot at salvaging a podium finish.
Sanders Maintains Bike Lead, Docherty Shines in Rally 2
In the bike category, Australian Daniel Sanders played it safe, maintaining his overall lead of 16 minutes and 31 seconds over Tosha Schareina. Adrien Van Beveren remains in third, 22 minutes and 24 seconds behind.
The stage victory went to South African Michael Docherty, who became only the second Rally 2 rider to beat the Rally GP competitors. Docherty’s intimate knowledge of the dunes, being a resident of the neighboring United Arab Emirates, played a key role in his success.
López Closes Gap in SSV, Loprais Wins in Trucks
Chilean “Chaleco” López secured his fifth SSV stage win of the rally, moving within 15 minutes of second-placed Xavier de Soultrait. However, American Brock Heger maintains a comfortable lead in the category.
In the truck class, Aleš Loprais claimed his fourth stage victory, but he remains well behind Mitchel van den Brink and overall leader Martin Macík, who holds a seemingly unassailable 2-hour, 22-minute advantage.
The Battle Continues
As the Dakar Rally heads into its penultimate stage, the fight for supremacy in the Empty Quarter is set to intensify. With the unpredictable nature of the dunes, even the slightest mistake can prove costly, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion to this epic event.
Selected Overall Standings After Stage 10
Ultimate:
- Henk Lategan (ZAF) – 47:29.57
- Yazeed Al Rajhi (SAU) – +2.27
- Mattias Ekström (SWE) – +26.46
- Nasser Al-Attiyah (QAT) – +30.21
Challenger:
- Nicolas Cavigliasso (ARG) – 51:54.09
- Gonçalo Guerreiro (POR) – +26.00
- Pau Navarro (ESP) – +1:42.53
SSV:
- Brock Heger (USA) – 53:25.31
- Xavier de Soultrait (FRA) – +1:49.53
- Francisco López (CHL) – +2:06.47
Bike:
- Daniel Sanders (AUS) – 49:53.59
- Tosha Schareina (ESP) – +16.31
- Adrien Van Beveren (FRA) – +22.24
- Luciano Benavides (ARG) – +29.14
