Pictures by media.dacia.com
Text by Mike Charopka

The first half of Dakar 2025 is in the books, and this year’s race is proving to be one of the most dramatic and thrilling in recent memory. David Castera’s innovative 48-Hour Chrono Stage—a grueling two-day event with no technical support—has pushed competitors to their limits, reshaping the leaderboard and leaving its mark on the participants.

The desert has been relentless, claiming contenders and elevating rookies into the spotlight. As teams regroup for the second half, the battle for supremacy remains fierce.

Ford vs. Dacia

The Ford-Dacia rivalry has been the centerpiece of Dakar 2025. Dacia’s hopes took a significant hit early, losing two of its top drivers. Cristina Gutiérrez remains in the race but, with 19 hours in penalties, has transitioned to a supporting role for Nasser Al-Attiyah. Gutiérrez proved invaluable when she provided Al-Attiyah with a crucial suspension part, enabling him to complete Stage 4.

Dacia suffered another blow when Sébastien Loeb was disqualified after damaging his safety cage in a rollover. Despite protests, safety regulations left no room for compromise. With limited options, Al-Attiyah adopted an aggressive strategy, securing a provisional Stage 5 win before penalties pushed him to second, behind American Seth Quintero. Sweden’s Mattias Ekström of Ford M-Sport claimed third, keeping his team firmly in the top three.

Ford’s resilience is also evident through Mitch Guthrie, who remains in contention for a podium spot despite setbacks. However, the team has not been immune to losses, with Carlos Sainz and Nani Roma out of contention. The stage is set for a thrilling continuation of the Ford-Dacia duel.

Overall Standings After Stage 5:

Mattias Ekström (Ford M-Sport): 28h31m05s (+20h54m)
Nasser Al-Attiyah (Dacia Sandriders): 28h45m11s (+35h00m)
Mitch Guthrie (Ford M-Sport): 28h52m55s (+42h44m)
Seth Quintero (Toyota Gazoo Racing): 28h52m55s (+42h44m)

American Bikers Shine in Stage 5

The American bikers delivered standout performances during Stage 5. Skyler Howes capitalized on his starting position, using rival tracks to gain ground. Despite a costly seven-minute navigation error, Howes finished 6th, keeping him in 5th overall and less than 20 minutes behind the leader.

In the Rally 2 class, Jacob Argubright continued his impressive run, finishing 14th overall and 3rd in class despite a crash that left him sore. Meanwhile, Ricky Brabec displayed consistency, clocking the fastest time at the 173 km mark and finishing 5th. Brabec now holds 6th overall, just 21 minutes off the lead.

Mason Klein faced physical challenges, battling tendonitis but pushing through to complete the stage. His determination underscores the resilience of the American contingent.

Overall Standings for U.S. Bikers After Stage 5:

Ricky Brabec: 5th (+3:30) / 6th Overall (+21:01)
Skyler Howes: 6th (+4:40) / 5th Overall (+19:59)
Jacob Argubright: 14th (+16:39) / 17th Overall (+1:53:18)
Mason Klein: 42nd (+56:55) / 54th Overall (+9:15:29)

SSV Category: Heger Leads, Price Battles On

Brock Heger maintains a commanding lead in the SSV category despite finishing 2nd in Stage 5. His consistent performance places him over an hour ahead of his closest rival. Sara Price, however, faced more challenges, grinding to a halt just 45 km from the finish. Undeterred, she remains focused on Week 2. Huner Miller also saw his hopes dashed late in the stage.

Overall Standings for SSV Category:

Brock Heger: 2nd (+20:48) / Leads Overall (+1:18:30)
Hunter Miller – 20th +2.06.34hour / 8th Overall (+8:27:24)
Sara Price: 14th (+1:28:05) / 28th Overall (+77:14:19)

Challenger Class: A Tough Day for Leaverton

Corbin Leaverton a strong contender in the Challenger class, faced a tough Stage 5. Leaverton, who began the day second overall, was sidelined by mechanical trouble, while 

Despite the heartbreak, the determined to return stronger in the second week, showcasing the resilience that makes American racers a standout presence in this iconic rally.

Zach Lumsden – 12th (+55:40) / 20th Overall (+9:37:41)
Corbin Leaverton – 42nd (+4:04:31hour) / 8th Overall (+4:14:56)

The Road Ahead

As Dakar 2025 enters its second half, the stakes have never been higher. The Ford-Dacia rivalry promises more fireworks, while American racers across all categories aim to solidify their positions and chase glory. Stay tuned for more action as the desert continues to test the limits of endurance and determination.

Notice:

For live updates and real-time results of American racers at Dakar 2025, I highly recommend following Fishgistics on Facebook. They provide comprehensive coverage, including stage times, standings, and insights into the performances of U.S. competitors. Stay in the loop by visiting their page here: Fishgistics on Facebook.

CHECK THE RESULTS ON THE OFFICIAL DAKAR DAKAR RALLY WEBSITE: https://www.dakar.live.worldrallyraidchampionship.com/en/car/2/standings

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