Yazeed Al-Rajhi edged Nasser Al-Attiyah and rookie Guy Botterill to lead the opening 48-Hour Chrono stage at Dakar Rally 2025 while seasoned competitors Carlos Sainz and Sebastien Loeb struggled.
The second stage of this year’s rally proved to be a pivotal moment in the competition, showcasing not only the skill and determination of the drivers but also the unpredictable nature of the event.
With Yazeed Al-Rajhi leading the charge, the stage unfolded over a staggering 967 kilometers through the harsh terrain of Saudi Arabia, presenting competitors with an array of challenges that tested their limits.
As dawn broke on the second day of Dakar Rally 2025 competitors were greeted with a daunting task ahead. The 48-Hour Chrono stage was designed to push drivers to their limits, with no service teams allowed overnight.
This meant that competitors had to rely solely on their navigation skills and mechanical ingenuity to survive the grueling conditions. The stage began with a flurry of activity as teams prepared their vehicles for what lay ahead.
Early in the stage, strategic decisions made during Stage 1 began to pay off as Yazeed Al-Rajhi, driving a privateer Toyota Hilux, quickly established himself at the front of the pack. His local knowledge and experience in navigating the challenging Saudi landscape provided him with a huge advantage.
Nasser Al-Attiyah, another formidable competitor in a Dacia Sandrider, closely trailed Al-Rajhi setting up an intense battle that would define much of the opening 48-Hour Chrono stage. The first waypoint at 42 kilometers saw Al-Rajhi maintaining his lead, with Al-Attiyah hot on his heels.
Meanwhile, Rookie driver Guy Botterill also made an impressive showing securing third place early on.
As competitors navigated through rocky terrain and shifting dunes, it became clear the second day of Dakar Rally 2025 would not only test speed but also endurance and strategy.
By waypoint two at 87 kilometers, Yazeed Al-Rajhi continued to command the lead while Guy Botterill managed to surpass Nasser Al-Attiyah, demonstrating remarkable skill against seasoned veterans.
However, as the stage progressed mechanical issues began to plague some of the top contenders. Saood Variawa encountered significant mechanical troubles early on, which saw him lose valuable time and drop to the back of the pack.
The mid-stage chaos escalated when Carlos Sainz Sr flipped his Ford Raptor at the 327-kilometer mark. Although the Spaniard sustained cosmetic damage to his car and lost approximately 20 minutes due to the incident, he persevered and continued racing.
Meanwhile, Sebastien Loeb faced his own set of challenges with electrical issues that forced his Dacia Sandrider to stop twice during the stage. These setbacks saw Loeb plummet to 17th overall by the end of the first day of the demanding 48-Hour Chrono stage.
Despite these struggles among prominent drivers, Toyota Gazoo Racing’s Henk Lategan and Giniel de Villiers steadily climbed into the top ten rankings. Their consistent performance at Dakar Rally 2025 highlights their team’s resilience and depth in navigating through adversity.
At the front Yazeed Al-Rajhi and Nasser Al-Attiyah continued their fierce duel throughout the stage, trading leads multiple times while tackling treacherous rocky sections and expansive dunes.
At the 169-kilometer mark, Al-Attiyah briefly took over after a swift refueling stop but could not maintain his lead for long. By 373 kilometers into the race, Al-Rajhi reclaimed his position at the front with a narrow 66-second advantage over Al-Attiyah.
The performance of other drivers also contributed to the dynamic nature of Dakar Rally 2025 Stage 2. One of the standout performances came from Toby Price and Sam Sunderland, making their debut in four-wheel competition after a successful career in motorcycle racing.
Price’s transition was seamless; he cracked into the top six by waypoint six at 231 kilometers and finished Day 2 in an impressive seventh overall. His ability to adapt quickly to car racing showcased his exceptional talent and determination.
In the motorcycle category, Daniel Sanders continued to impress with consistent performances that kept him at the forefront of competition. He finished comfortably ahead of Ricky Brabec and Ross Branch, solidifying his position as a leading contender for this year’s title.
As competitors settled down for the night at camp E after an exhausting day on the course, discussions centered around strategy for completing the first day of the 48-Hour Chrono stage.
With Yazeed Al-Rajhi leading and Sainz determined to recover from his earlier mishap, anticipation builds for what would unfold on Day 2.
