X-Raid Mini JCW Team ended Toyota’s dominance after securing a 1-2 finish in Dakar Rally 2025 Stage 6 with Guillaume de Mevius leading his teammate Joao Ferreira home.
The 2025 Dakar Rally has entered its second week with Stage 6 delivering a thrilling mix of triumph and tribulation for competitors. The stage, which spanned a total of 605 kilometers from Hail to Al Duwadimi, was marked by challenging terrains that tested the limits of drivers and riders alike.
As the dust settled, it was Guillaume de Mevius from the X-raid Mini JCW Team who emerged victorious, claiming his first stage win of the rally and ending Toyota’s recent dominance.
De Mevius completed Dakar Rally 2025 Stage 6 in an impressive time of 4h34m49s, leading a 1-2 finish for Mini as teammate Joao Ferreira followed closely behind, finishing just a minute and a half later.
This performance not only showcased Mini’s competitive edge but also highlighted the resilience of the team in overcoming previous setbacks earlier in the rally.
De Mevius’s victory was characterized by strategic navigation and speed, allowing him to capitalize on opportunities presented by his rivals’ misfortunes.
Nasser Al-Attiyah, driving for The Dacia Sandriders, finished third in this stage with a time of 4h36m50s. Al-Attiyah’s experience shone through as he navigated the tricky sections of the course; however, he faced challenges that prevented him from matching the pace set by de Mevius and Ferreira.
In stark contrast, Toyota’s Henk Lategan and co-driver Brett Cummings maintained their overall lead despite facing challenges during Stage 6. They finished the stage in seventh place, recording a time that was 6m36s slower than de Mevius.
The duo suffered a puncture during the stage but managed to retain a buffer of 7m16s over second-placed Yazeed Al Rajhi and co-driver Timo Gottschalk, who finished Dakar Rally 2025 Stage 6 in fifth.
The performance of Guy Botterill and Dennis Murphy in their Toyota GR Hilux EVO was another highlight of Stage 6. After facing mechanical issues earlier in the rally that set them back significantly, they demonstrated remarkable tenacity by spending much of the day in contention for the stage win.
Ultimately, a minor navigational error cost them precious time but they still managed to finish fourth, losing only 3 minutes and 25 seconds to de Mevius.
However, not all Toyota crews fared well during Dakar Rally 2025 Stage 6. Lucas Moraes and co-driver Armand Monleon faced severe challenges when a damper issue forced them to halt early in the race.
Despite their efforts to resolve the problem on-site, they ultimately had to wait for support from their truck resulting in a staggering loss of nearly three hours. This setback dropped them from fifth place overall to a position well outside contention for top honors.
Ricky Brabec wins as Honda dominates
In the motorcycle category, Ricky Brabec from Monster Energy Honda made headlines by securing his eleventh career stage win after dominating Dakar Rally 2025 Stage 6.
Brabec’s victory came after a grueling day that saw him navigate through rocky paths and sandy dunes with remarkable skill. He finished with a time of 5 hours, 51 minutes, and 51 seconds, just ahead of fellow Honda rider Adrien Van Beveren who trailed him closely by only 23 seconds.
The Dakar Rally 2025 Stage 6 win was particularly significant as it demonstrates Honda’s resurgence in this year’s rally after facing stiff competition from other manufacturers.
Brabec’s performance was complemented by strong rides from his teammates Skyler Howes and Jose Cornejo, who also contended for top positions throughout the stage.
However, it was a day of mixed fortunes as both Ross Branch and Bradley Cox suffered crashes early on that forced them out of contention.
Branch’s crash at kilometer 48 was particularly alarming; he sustained injuries but was able to walk away from the incident before being airlifted for further medical evaluation.
In the Rally2 category, Dusan Drdaj secured Dakar Rally 2025 Stage 6 win while also showcasing remarkable resilience after overcoming early challenges. His ability to navigate effectively through difficult sections contributed to his strong showing.
As competitors prepare for Stage 7, which promises another looped challenge starting and finishing at Al Duwadimi’s bivouac, strategies will be reassessed based on performances observed during Stage 6.
The upcoming stage will feature a liaison of 188 kilometers leading into a timed special that spans another demanding 419 kilometers through dirt tracks, sand dunes, and rocky landscapes.
With six stages remaining until the conclusion of Dakar Rally 2025 on January 17th, all eyes will be on how teams adapt their strategies in response to the shifting dynamics witnessed thus far.
As competitors regroup and recalibrate their approaches following Stage 6’s revelations, anticipation builds around who will emerge victorious as they navigate through one of motorsport’s most challenging events.
