Isidre Esteve is on a roll. He Repsol Toyota Rally Team This Tuesday, he joined the third consecutive day fighting in the absolute top 20 of Dakar. In a very fast special, in between Riyadh and Haradhof 357 timed kilometers, the pilot from Ilerda and his co-pilot Txema Villalobos raised the Toyota Hilux T1+ number 229 to 19th overall position and in the Ultimate category, just 22 minutes behind first. This is the best partial result of it Dakar for the pilot supported by Repsol, MGS insurance and TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Spain.
“Another good stage. It was very, very fast, with complicated navigation at the beginning, which we solved well. They then followed very fast tracks to kilometer 280. From there, navigation became very difficult again, through several canyons and dry rivers. Txema was successful; We hesitated in one place, it’s normal, but we didn’t get lost at any time,” described the pilot of Olianawhich is 34th overall, 22nd in finally.
Today’s 19th position equals the second best partial result of Isidre Esteve in his 10 Dakar by car. It was in 2023, when he was also 19th at the same stage, in between Riyadh and Haradhwith him Toyota Hilux T1+. Ilerdanse’s best classification on a stage by car was the 17th place he achieved in 2021, in the fifth stage. However, the notable difference between those particular achievements and his performance in 2025 is the regularity and consistency of Repsol Toyota Rally Team is showing this year. Steve and Villalobos they are 20th in the seventh period; 21st in the eighth, and 19th in the ninth, today. Three days in a row in or out of the top 20 gates.
“We are very happy, because we have entered a very positive dynamic of results, speed, start of order, and we are eager to face the rest,” he said.
The pleasure of Isidre Esteve is a reflection of the development of its performance on four wheels, and also of the great work done by Repsol Toyota Rally Team throughout the past year and this season Dakar. The competitiveness of Toyota Hilux T1+ It becomes the perfect complement to the driver’s sporting ambitions. The work of Technology Lab of Repsolin the development of fuel with a 70% share of renewable origin and the new renewable lubricant, shows that the performance is not contrary to the commitment to decarbonize the high level of competition.
Also, in the seat on the right, Isidre Esteve has an important ally in the figure of Txema Villalobosirreplaceable in his dual role as navigator and mechanic, capable of solving any difficult situation on the track itself.
So, Isidre Esteve facing the last stretch of Dakar full of morale and motivation, when the caravan headed to empty quarter (empty area). “Now is a kind of Dakar and tomorrow something completely different will begin. All that remains is 100% dunes; No hint, nothing. We have a good car for this type of terrain and we will see what we can do,” ventured the driver.
This Wednesday, the stage will consist of a long link of 520 kilometers, towards Shubaytahand a relatively short special, 120 kilometers, completely over the dunes.
Stage classification:
1. Nasser Al-Attiyah (Dacia) 2h 52’59”
2. Guillaume de Mevius (Mini) +02’47”
3. Yazeed Al Rajhi (Toyota) +03’12”
4. Mattias Ekström (Ford) +04’48”
5. Rokas Baciuska (Toyota) +07’28”
…
19/19 (Ultimate). Isidre Esteve (Toyota) +22’27”
General classification:
1. Yazeed Al Rajhi (Toyota) 45h 06’54”
2. Henk Lategan (Toyota) +07’09”
3. Mattias Ekström (Ford) +24’50”
4. Nasser Al-Attiyah (Dacia) +25’21”
5. Mitchell Guthrie (Ford) +56’28”
…
34 / 22 (Ultimate). Isidre Esteve (Toyota) +9h 14’30”
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.
