Dakar Rally Stage 3

Sanders Holds Onto Dakar Lead Despite Navigation Setbacks

The Al Henakiyah region brought its own set of challenges to Dakar riders. Heavy rainfall forced the organisers to revise the route, cutting nearly 169 km of flooded terrain. However, the remaining 327 km special stage retained its gruelling difficulty, with rocky tracks, volcanic landscapes, and tricky navigation testing competitors to the limit.

Riders had to balance caution and aggression, particularly as errors in the first half of the stage proved costly. Many contenders, including Daniel Sanders and Adrien Van Beveren, found themselves navigating blind at crucial moments due to mechanical and technical setbacks.

Daniel Sanders endured a tricky day on stage three but managed to hang on to the overall rally lead for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing. Sanders faced significant navigation challenges when his electronic roadbook malfunctioned mid-stage, forcing him to rely on visual cues. “I was lost out there and picked the wrong person to follow,” Sanders admitted after the stage. Despite finishing 17th for the day, the Australian retained an almost seven-minute lead in the general standings, thanks to his earlier stage victories.

Lorenzo Santolino emerged as the clear winner of stage three, skillfully navigating the obstacles that left many rivals struggling. Demonstrating calm under pressure, Santolino handled the rocky terrain with finesse, capitalising on navigational mistakes from his competitors to take a decisive victory.

Ricky Brabec bounced back strongly after a challenging second stage, securing an impressive second-place finish for Monster Energy Honda HRC. Brabec navigated the slower, more technical stretches with precision aboard his Honda CRF450 RALLY, recovering more than six minutes on overall leader Daniel Sanders. His stellar performance reduced his general standings deficit to just 9 minutes and 15 seconds, ensuring he remains a serious contender for the title.

Skyler Howes delivered another outstanding performance for Monster Energy Honda HRC, taking the third spot on stage three. Leading out the stage, Howes faced the tough challenge of creating tracks without prior guidance, but he handled the pressure with exceptional skill. With bonus time earned as a lead-out rider, Howes continues to shine in this year’s rally, sitting 6 minutes and 51 seconds behind the top spot in the overall rankings.

Hero MotoSports’ star rider Ross Branch rolled into fourth place, continuing to build his case as a title favourite. The 2024 W2RC champion demonstrated his mettle by making up significant time on his rivals after early navigational errors tripped up other leaders. Branch’s performance reduced his overall deficit by over 10 minutes, leaving him just 2 minutes behind overall leader Daniel Sanders and only 7 seconds off second place. His consistent pace and relentless pursuit keep Hero MotoSports firmly in the mix.

Luciano Benavides delivered an impressive ride, claiming fifth place for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing. Starting sixth on the road gave Benavides the advantage of a clearer route, and he used it to expertly navigate the unforgiving terrain. His strong showing narrows the gap to overall leader Sanders to under 18 minutes while solidifying his sixth-place spot in the general classification.

With tight time gaps and a mix of volcanic landscapes and technical corridors, the drama is only escalating as we move deeper into the 2025 Dakar Rally. The next stages promise high stakes, endurance tests, and the ultimate push for glory.

The battle for Dakar glory remains fierce, with Ross Branch, Ricky Brabec, and Daniel Sanders leading the charge into the unknown. Stay tuned for unfolding twists as the chase for the coveted title continues across Saudi Arabia’s unforgiving deserts.