Stage 11 of the 2025 Dakar Rally presented a unique set of challenges as dense fog blanketed the Empty Quarter, forcing organizers to delay the start and shorten the special stage for the bikers from 308 to 152 kilometers. The change in distance played to the advantage of overall leader Daniel Sanders, while Luciano Benavides of the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team delivered an impressive second-place finish, keeping his hopes of a podium spot alive.
Benavides Excels in Shortened Special
Luciano Benavides capitalized on his 16th-place start position to navigate the demanding dunes of the Empty Quarter, finishing just 33 seconds behind the stage winner. The Argentinian’s strong performance keeps him in fourth place overall, trailing third-placed Adrien Van Beveren by just over six minutes heading into the final stage.
“Today’s stage 11 in the Empty Quarter was good! We only did half of it because the start was delayed this morning due to the fog,” said Benavides. “I had a really good pace and rhythm, so to finish second on the stage is great. I only got stuck once and other than that I felt super good on the bike all day. I tried my best and tomorrow we will take on the final stage and try to finish strong!”
Sanders Maintains Lead with Strategic Ride
Despite the shortened stage, Daniel Sanders adopted a cautious approach to protect his commanding overall lead. The Australian finished sixth on the stage, navigating the challenging dunes while minimizing risks. With just 61 kilometers left to race against the clock, Sanders is poised to secure his first Dakar Rally victory.
“It was a really cloudy morning, so we had to wait a while to start, and it’s a shame that the weather really impacted the stage so much,” explained Sanders. “I was looking forward to it, but it was the best decision for everyone. I had a good day cruising along and making sure I didn’t take any big risks or make any mistakes. It’s going to be fun tomorrow with everyone riding together and the plan is to just sit back and watch everything unfold while I play it safe!”
Al Rajhi Reclaims Top Spot in Ultimate Class
In the car category, Yazeed Al Rajhi showcased his mastery of the dunes, overtaking Henk Lategan to regain the overall lead in the Ultimate class. The Saudi driver now holds a 6-minute, 11-second advantage over the South African heading into the final stage.
Meanwhile, Mattias Ekström claimed his first stage victory of the 2025 Dakar Rally, consolidating his position on the third step of the podium. Nasser Al Attiyah finished second on the stage but remains more than four minutes adrift of Ekström in the battle for third overall.
Canet Maintains Rally2 Lead, Price Victorious in SSV
Dakar rookie Edgar Canet managed a steady and consistent ride through the challenging navigation conditions, finishing 15th on the stage. The Spaniard continues to hold a commanding 35-minute lead in the Rally2 category and retains his impressive eighth-place position overall.
In the SSV category, American Sara Price claimed her second stage win of the rally, edging out her Can-Am teammate Francisco ‘Chaleco’ López. However, Brock Heger remains in control of the overall standings, while López moved up to second after Xavier de Soultrait’s mechanical issues.
Macik Extends Truck Lead, Seaidan Wins Challenger Stage
Martin Macik secured his fourth stage victory in the truck class, extending his lead to nearly 2 hours and 30 minutes over Mitchel van den Brink. The Dutchman will need to keep a watchful eye on Ales Loprais, who trails him by just 5 minutes and 30 seconds in the battle for second place.
In the Challenger class, Yasir Seaidan claimed his third stage win, but Nicolas Cavigliasso maintains a comfortable 1-hour, 11-minute lead over Gonçalo Guerreiro.
With just one stage remaining, the 2025 Dakar Rally is set for a thrilling conclusion as competitors navigate the final 61 kilometers of the Empty Quarter. While some categories appear to be decided, the fight for podium positions remains fierce, promising an exciting finish to this iconic event.
Selected Overall Standings After Stage 11
Ultimate:
- Yazeed Al Rajhi (SAU) – 51:53.36
- Henk Lategan (ZAF) – +6.11
- Mattias Ekström (SWE) – +22.34
- Nasser Al-Attiyah (QAT) – +26.50
Challenger:
- Nicolas Cavigliasso (ARG) – 56:44.09
- Gonçalo Guerreiro (POR) – +1:11.36
- Pau Navarro (ESP) – +1:30.11
SSV:
- Brock Heger (USA) – 58:04.54
- Francisco López (CHL) – +2:06.00
- Alexandre Pinto (POR) – +3:37.06
Bike:
- Daniel Sanders (AUS) – 52:13.34
- Tosha Schareina (ESP) – +9.00
- Adrien Van Beveren (FRA) – +15.50
- Luciano Benavides (ARG) – +22.16
Bike (Rally2):
- Edgar Canet (ESP) – 53:52.43
- Tobias Ebster (AUT) – +35.08
- Romain Dumontier (FRA) – +1:22.53
