HA’IL: Five-time champion Nasser Al-Attiyah was stripped of a smashing stage win in the Dakar Rally because of a missing spare wheel on Thursday.
Instead, American driver Seth Quintero was promoted to first for the second time in a week, beating Al-Attiyah by one second.
French rider Adrien van Beveren also had the motorbike stage win taken from him after he was penalized two minutes for speeding in the Saudi Arabia desert. Instead, Luciano Benavides of Argentina was given first place by 47 seconds from Van Beveren.
Al-Attiyah initially won the fifth stage from AlUla 428 speedy kilometers east to rocky Ha’il after 4 1/2 hours by a whopping 9 minutes, 59 seconds. But the missing spare wheel cost him a 10-minute penalty, dropping the Qatari to second and bumping Quintero to first.
Quintero also was promoted to first on the first stage on Saturday after he was credited time for helping a crashed rival.
The 22-year-old Quintero, who suffered three punctures on Wednesday, was barely helped in the overall standings as he was 1 1/2 hours behind Toyota teammate and race leader Henk Lategan.
But the penalty was a double blow for Al-Attiyah, who made up only 53 seconds on Lategan and was 35 minutes behind the South African leader going into the rest day Friday.
Lategan was fourth on the stage, stretching his overall lead on second-placed Yazeed Al Rajhi to 10 minutes and third-placed Mattias Ekstrom to 21 minutes. None of the leading three drivers have won the Dakar and only Al Rajhi has made the podium, a third in 2022.
“It was the hardest first week of my career on the Dakar,” Al Rajhi said amidst his 11th Dakar and sixth on home ground. “All the stages were long, tough and difficult everywhere.”
Benavides wins motorbike stage
Van Beveren led the motorbike stage for about the last 200 kilometers and thought he had his sixth career stage win, but his second speeding penalty of the race gave Benavides his fourth career stage win.
Benavides, a four-time top-10 finisher in the five Dakars he’s completed, beat Van Beveren by 47 seconds. Jose Ignacio Cornejo of Chile was third.
Benavides was seventh overall, 24 minutes behind his KTM teammate and race leader Daniel Sanders. But he suggested he was being hampered by team orders.
“I hope the strategy is going to be favorable to me in the second week,” Benavides said. “I’m happy with the bike and my pace. I feel better than I ever have. But, on this race, some decisions are made that call into question the strategic choices prepared several days before.”
The overall leaders didn’t change but Sanders’ gap on the shrinking field was cut after he was penalized eight minutes plus for speeding three times.
That reduced his overall lead to seven minutes over Spain’s Tosha Schareina and 18 minutes over Botswana’s Ross Branch. Van Beveren rose from sixth to fourth, another 30 seconds back.

RIYADH: This year’s Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia is a stage for sharing the breathtaking beauty of the Kingdom with the world, in addition to it being a test of endurance for drivers.
Running until Jan. 17, the rally spans 7,737 km, including 5,129 km of timed special stages, and features 439 vehicles across multiple categories.
It takes participants through some of the Kingdom’s most stunning natural landscapes and archaeological treasures.
At the heart of the spectacle lies the media’s vital role in connecting global audiences to the rally’s excitement and adventure.
Journalists, photographers, and broadcasters are the storytellers who will bring the Dakar experience to life while showcasing unique Saudi beauty and culture.
This year’s rally has attracted 618 accredited journalists from 128 media outlets, representing 48 nationalities. Their collective efforts highlight the universal fascination with the Dakar Rally and its ability to transcend borders.
As the drivers push their limits across sand dunes, rugged mountains, and rocky trails, the media captures more than just the competition: They shine a light on the Kingdom’s vast, untouched landscapes and rich cultural heritage, offering viewers a window into Saudi Arabia’s diverse beauty.
From ancient archaeological wonders to sweeping desert vistas, the rally’s route becomes a showcase of the Kingdom’s allure.
Through articles, interviews, photos, and live broadcasts, journalists showcase narratives of human resilience and adventure.
Their work transcends the race itself, sharing stories of perseverance, teamwork, and cultural exchange with millions of followers globally.
The Dakar Rally Saudi Arabia 2025 is a celebration of exploration and storytelling.
Thanks to the dedication of the international media, the world gets to experience the beauty of the rally and the Kingdom, one story at a time.