Pictures by DPPI / Red Bull Content Pool
Text by Mike Charopka

Nani Roma secures Ford’s first stage win, while American riders and drivers make their mark in the Empty Quarter.

Stage 10 of the Dakar Rally 2025 brought competitors to Saudi Arabia’s Empty Quarter, a sea of challenging dunes. The day saw historic victories, strategic maneuvers, and a strong showing from American racers. Nani Roma’s stage win with the Ford Raptor T1+ stole the spotlight.

Ford vs. Dacia

Ford achieved a milestone with Nani Roma clinching the brand’s first Dakar stage victory, edging out Toyota’s Lucas Moraes by just 18 seconds. “This morning, we were so fast. We understood that we needed to set another speed,” said Roma. This marked his 26th Dakar stage win, a decade after his last triumph.

The rivalry between Ford and Dacia intensified as Toyota’s Henk Lategan regained the overall lead, relegating Saudi Arabia’s Yazeed Al Rajhi to second after a misstep in the dunes. Al Rajhi reflected, “It’s not over yet, but today was tough.” Meanwhile, Mattias Ekström kept Ford in contention, holding third in the overall rankings.

Meanwhile, Nasser Al Attiyah of Dacia faced navigation woes, dropping 20 minutes but remaining in contention.

SSV

The SSV category saw “Chaleco” Lopez secure another win, tightening the competition at the top. American racer Brock Heger held a commanding lead in the overall standings, approaching the final stages with confidence.

Sara Price maintained a steady pace gaining ground in her respective category. Price noted, “The dunes remind me of navigating waves — it’s all about rhythm and precision.”

This stage reaffirmed the grit and skill of American competitors while spotlighting Ford’s growing dominance in the Dakar Rally. With the dunes of the Empty Quarter still ahead, the battle continues to heat up.

CHECK THE RESULTS ON THE OFFICIAL DAKAR DAKAR RALLY WEBSITE: https://www.dakar.live.worldrallyraidchampionship.com/en/car/10/standings

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