Yazeed Al-Rajhi has etched his name in the annals of motorsport history by becoming the first Saudi to win the prestigious Dakar Rally, completing the grueling race on home soil. The remarkable achievement came after 13 days of intense desert racing, covering over 5,000 kilometers of challenging terrain.
Al-Rajhi secured his victory by defeating South Africa’s Henk Lategan by a mere four minutes, marking the closest finish in the last 15 years of the rally.
Al-Rajhi’s journey to triumph was a testament to his skill and determination. Throughout the rally, he showcased remarkable consistency and resilience, particularly in the demanding Empty Quarter dunes. He completed the race with his co-driver, Timo Gottschalk, who claimed his second Dakar title, having previously navigated Nasser Al-Attiyah to victory in 2011.
The competition was fierce, with Lategan leading the car standings for a week by capitalizing on his consistent performance. He appeared to be on track for victory after winning the eighth stage but faced a setback due to a navigation error on Tuesday. This misstep opened the door for Al-Rajhi as they entered the treacherous dunes. While Lategan rebounded on Wednesday, the crucial turning point came on Thursday, when Al-Rajhi leveraged his superior expertise in navigating the dunes, ultimately securing the lead.
Completing the brief 12th and final stage back to Shubaytah, Al-Rajhi expressed his joy and relief at winning the rally after 11 attempts. “I am very, very happy to do it; it is not an easy race, it’s the toughest one that I’ve done in the last 11 years,” he remarked, praising his team’s efforts. His final margin over Lategan was 3 minutes and 57 seconds, the smallest in Dakar history since 2010, when Stephane Peterhansel edged out Al-Attiyah by 2 minutes and 12 seconds in Argentina and Chile.
Sweden’s Mattias Ekström rounded out the podium in third place, finishing 20 minutes behind Al-Rajhi. Ekström also celebrated a personal best finish, managing to fend off five-time champion Al-Attiyah by 3 and a half minutes. Al-Attiyah faced challenges throughout the race, including a 10-minute penalty during stage five for losing his spare wheel, compounded by navigation errors. This marked the first time in 18 years that he failed to finish on the podium in a race he completed.
On the motorbike front, Daniel Sanders claimed the title, becoming the second Australian champion in Dakar history after his mentor, two-time winner Toby Price. Sanders demonstrated his dominance by winning the first three stages and maintaining his lead throughout the competition. His performance made him the first rider since Spain’s Marc Coma in 2009 to lead from start to finish when the rally was held in Argentina and Chile.
Reflecting on his victory, Sanders recalled the emotions he felt as he neared the finish line. “When I came out of the dunes, I could see the bivouac and I just got instant chills through my whole body; I was super nervous. I couldn’t believe it. All the emotions started coming through, and I could see the finishing line,” he expressed. This win solidifies his position among the top competitors in the sport, having previously secured a fourth-place finish and the title of best rookie during his debut in 2021.
Spain’s Tosha Schareina, who had been trailing Sanders since stage four, completed the race in second place, finishing nearly nine minutes behind. French rider Adrien van Beveren, who was second in the previous year’s rally, finished in third, approximately 15 minutes off the pace. Defending champion Ricky Brabec struggled to maintain his title, ultimately finishing in fifth place, nearly 30 minutes behind the leader.
The Dakar Rally has long been regarded as one of the most challenging motorsport events in the world, testing the limits of endurance, skill, and strategy. This year’s edition, held in Saudi Arabia, showcased the growing competitiveness of participants and the ever-evolving landscape of the rally. Al-Rajhi’s victory not only highlights his personal achievements but also marks a significant moment for Saudi Arabia in the global motorsport arena.
As the dust settles on this year’s rally, Al-Rajhi and Sanders emerge as trailblazers, inspiring a new generation of racers in their respective categories. Their success reflects the dedication and hard work required to compete at such a high level and showcases the passion for motorsport that continues to grow in the region.
The 2024 Dakar Rally will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact, with Al-Rajhi’s historic win resonating within the motorsport community and beyond. As Saudi Arabia continues to invest in motorsport and host international events, the future looks bright for both established and emerging talents in the racing world.
In conclusion, the Dakar Rally remains a defining event in the motorsport calendar, and this year’s competition has reaffirmed its status as a premier challenge. With Al-Rajhi and Sanders leading the charge, the legacy of the Dakar Rally continues to evolve, paving the way for new stories and legends to emerge in the years to come. The rally is not just a test of speed but a celebration of resilience, teamwork, and the human spirit in the face of adversity.
