The first part of the grueling Marathon Stage from Al Henakiyah to AlUla saw competitors navigate a treacherous 415-kilometer special stage through stunning volcanic landscapes and canyons. While Australian bike racer Daniel Sanders extended his overall lead with another impressive performance, car category favorite Nasser Al Attiyah’s hopes of a sixth Dakar title suffered a significant blow.
Sanders Shines in Marathon Stage
Despite losing time due to issues with his electronic tablet on Stage 3, Daniel Sanders bounced back in style, claiming his third stage win of the 2025 Dakar Rally. The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider expertly navigated the challenging terrain, finishing 15 seconds ahead of his nearest rival to extend his overall lead to 13 minutes and 26 seconds.
“That was a pretty cool stage! I did get lost a bit but nothing that cost me too much time. This area can be really tricky so you have to focus completely, and it will be the same tomorrow. There was a little bit of cat and mouse at the end to decide who would end up opening tomorrow which we haven’t really had yet, so that was quite fun and I’m looking forward to setting off first for the last stage of week one. I’ve extended my lead even more, so I’m really pleased with that. I’m definitely looking forward to the rest day!” said the 30-year-old Australian.
Al Attiyah’s Title Hopes Dented
Five-time Dakar winner Nasser Al Attiyah’s bid for a sixth title hit a snag on Stage 4 when a puncture and a broken rear arm cost him valuable time. The Qatari had to wait for teammate Cristina Gutiérrez to provide spare parts before he could continue, ultimately dropping to seventh overall, 35 minutes and 53 seconds behind leader Henk Lategan.
“We stopped twice today. Once for a puncture and the second time for a broken rear arm. We waited for Cristina and then we fixed it. The car is OK for tomorrow,” commented the 54-year-old.
Ekström and Moraes Climb the Ranks
With Al Attiyah’s misfortune and the absence of Sébastien Loeb, who did not start Stage 4 due to a damaged roll cage, other contenders capitalized on the opportunity to improve their positions. Swede Mattias Ekström moved up to third overall, 21 minutes and 40 seconds behind Lategan, while Brazilian Lucas Moraes climbed to fifth. American Mitch Guthrie Jr. now sits sixth in the overall standings.
Benavides Brothers Battle On
In the bike category, Kevin Benavides, a two-time Dakar winner, struggled to find his rhythm but remains determined to fight back in the second half of the rally. The Argentine, whose younger brother Luciano currently holds eighth place overall, admitted the stage was incredibly long and demanding.
“The first part of this Marathon Stage was incredibly long, more than five hours of racing. There were lines everywhere, so I was really focused on the navigation and doing my own work,” revealed the elder Benavides.
Challengers and SSVs
The Challenger class saw the Red Bull Off-Road Junior Team rookies swap positions, with American Corbin Leaverton leapfrogging Portuguese teammate Gonçalo Guerreiro into second place overall. In the SSV category, Chilean veteran Francisco “Chaleco” López finished second on Stage 4 to maintain his fourth place in the general classification.
Looking Ahead
As competitors spend the night in the marathon bivouac, Stage 5 promises to be another test of endurance and navigation, with a 428-kilometer timed special featuring a mix of sandy and rocky tracks leading to Hail. With the rest day on the horizon, the battle for supremacy in the 2025 Dakar Rally is set to intensify.
