Finally the wait is over. This Friday, January 3, the rally started Dakar 2025 in Saudi Arabia with great hope. In the Prologue stage, it was not possible to make big differences because there was only a 29km special, but it served as a confirmation that all the pieces are now ok to face the moment of truth of the toughest rally in the world.
In the motorcycle category, Edgar Canet That was the big surprise of the day. The 19-year-old Spaniard made a great debut, finishing third, just 12 seconds behind the winner and first leader on two wheels, Daniel Sanders. For her part, Tosha Shareina started in a good fifth place, 25 seconds behind the KTM.
Prologue on cars is not counted in the general classification
Due to differences between the FIA and the FIM, in motorcycles the prologue counts in the general classification but in cars it does not. The prologue for the four-wheel category only serves to establish the starting order for stage 1 on January 4.
Lategan was the first to win his victory by just one second over Mattia Ekstrom. Al-Attiyah was the first of the big favourites, finishing third in his Dacia. The Qatari gave up 20 seconds. Loeb gave up more than half a minute while Carlos Sainz took it more calmly and was one minute and 14 seconds off the best time with the Ford.
It should be noted that Nani Roma also had a good debut with seventh position, 35 seconds behind Lategan, while Cristina Gutiérrez finished 52 seconds behind.
Motorcycle classification after Prologue:
1. Daniel Sanders (AUS/KTM) 16:51.7
2. Ross Branch (BWA/Hero) at 12”
3. Edgar Canet (ESP/KTM) at 12”
4. Ricky Brabec (USA/Honda) at 18”
5. Tosha Shareina (ESP/Honda) at 25”
6. Pablo Quintanilla (CHL/Honda) at 27”
7. Adrien Van Beverwen (FRA/Honda) in 41”
8. Michael Docherty (RSA/KTM) at 4”
9. Skyler Howes (USA/Honda) at 52”
10. Sebastian Bülher (ALE/Hero) in 1’00”
14. Lorenzo Santolino (ESP/ Sherco) at 1’11”
Classification of Prologue in cars:
1. Henk Lategan (RSA/Toyota) 15:28
2. Mattias Ekstrom (SUE/Ford) at 1′
3. Nasser Al-Attiyah (QAT/Dacia) at 20”
4. Rokas Baciuska – Oriol Mena (LIT/Overdrive) at 21”
5. Brian Baragwanath (RSA/Century9 and 30”
6. Sebastian Loeb (FRA/Dacia) at 33”
7. Lucas Moraes (BRA(Toyota) at 35”
8. Nani Roma – Alex Haro (ESP/Ford) at 35”
9. Saood Variawa (RSA/Toyota) at 41”
10. Guerlain Chicherit (FRA/MINI) at 42”
16. Cristina Guitérrez – Pablo Moreno (ESP/Dacia) at 52”
23. Laia Saunz (ESP/Century at 1’13”
25. Carlos Sainz – Lucas Cruz (ESP/Ford) in 1’14”
40. Isidre Esteve – Txema Villalobos (ESP/Toyota) in 2’19”
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
