Dakar Rally 2025 Stage 3 saw Toyota Gazoo continue to dominate with Saood Variawa making history as the youngest stage winner at just 19 years old.
The stage, which featured a shortened special section of 327 kilometers due to heavy rainfall, proved to be a thrilling spectacle that showcased the resilience and skill of the competitors as they navigated the challenging terrain from Bisha to Al Henakiyah.
Saood Variawa’s co-driver Francois Cazalet played a pivotal role in securing Dakar Rally 2025 Stage 3 victory especially after the duo faced significant challenges from the previous stage.
The day began with Variawa and Cazalet recovering from a crash that happened near the end of Stage 2. Despite arriving late at the bivouac, the team’s technicians worked diligently to repair their GR Hilux EVO in time for the start of Stage 3.
Demonstrating remarkable determination and skill, the South African proceeded to secure his first special stage win despite suffering a puncture in the closing kilometers. His performance was commendable, although he remains over seven hours behind in the overall standings.
Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings continued to dominate the overall rankings by finishing strong in Stage 3. His consistent performance has kept him at the top of the leaderboard, with an overall lead that now stands at 4 minutes and 45 seconds ahead of Stage 2 winner Yazeed Al Rajhi.
Lategan’s approach during this stage was cautious yet effective; he managed to maintain a steady pace while navigating through rocky sections that posed a high risk for punctures and mechanical failures.
Al Rajhi’s solid performance has kept him within striking distance but has yet to mount a serious challenge to Lategan’s lead. Nasser Al Attiyah remains in third place overall, trailing Lategan by over 11 minutes.
Dakar Rally 2025 Stage 3 was characterized by its varied terrain, which included rocky paths and wet dirt conditions. These factors contributed to a dynamic race where different competitors took turns leading throughout the day.
However, the stage was not without its challenges for some competitors notably Sebastien Loeb who faced a huge setback after rolling his car early in the stage.
Although Loeb managed to continue racing after making repairs, mechanical issues later hampered his progress, leading to a time loss that pushed him further down the rankings.
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Besides Variawa’s success, other Toyota Gazoo Racing crews also delivered solid performances despite facing various challenges. Giniel de Villiers and Dirk von Zitzewitz managed to recover from their earlier misfortunes by finishing with the tenth-best time of the day.
Guy Botterill and Dennis Murphy showcased impressive resilience as well; they finished Stage 3 with the eleventh-fastest time after overcoming difficulties from Stage 2 due to rear differential issues.
Botterill’s ability to navigate through dust while starting far down the order exemplified his skill as he passed more than 100 competitors during the stage.
Santolino wins while Sanders struggles
Lorenzo Santolino from Sherco made headlines by securing his first-ever stage victory in motorcycles, finishing ahead of Bradley Cox and Ricky Brabec.
Santolino’s win marked an huge milestone for Sherco, as it was their first stage victory in Saudi Arabia since 2019.
The motorcycle category witnessed several dramatic moments during Dakar Rally 2025 Stage 3 as well. Daniel Sanders who had been leading prior to Stage 3 suffered a significant setback when his digital roadbook failed.
This malfunction forced Sanders to slow down and follow other riders who were also making navigation errors. The Red Bull KTM rider ultimately finished in 23rd place, nearly 15 minutes off the pace set by Variawa.
In the SSV category, ‘Chaleco’ López achieved a significant milestone for Can-Am by winning Stage 3 against Polaris competitors. His victory highlighted Can-Am’s competitive edge in this year’s rally.
As competitors prepare for Stage 4, they will face new challenges that will test their skills further. Dakar Rally 2025 Stage 3 results have set an exciting tone for what lies ahead in this year’s event, with each stage presenting opportunities for both seasoned veterans and emerging talents alike.
