Clasificación Dakar 2025: A crazy tenth stage marked by sand and surprises!
When we talk about Dakar, we inevitably think of endless sand, roaring engines, and pilots willing to do anything to achieve victory. And the tenth stage of Dakar 2025 did not disappoint! Despite its 115 timed kilometers, this short special was full of emotions and surprises. Are you ready to dive into the sand with us? We’ll tell you everything, from the surprise victory of Michael Docherty to the relentless dominance of Daniel Sanders in the overall classification.
A short but intense stage
115 kilometers may seem like an easy task on paper, but this special between Haradh and Shubaytah was far from a walk in the park. With dunes in sight throughout the route, the terrain favors outsiders, and Michael Docherty understood this perfectly. This South African, competing in Rally2 with his KTM, achieved an incredible time, leaving everyone behind, even well-known names like Rui Gonçalves, who arrived second, 1’20” behind. And Docherty not only won but made history by becoming the second South African to win a stage in the Dakar, after Alfie Cox in 2003. Impressive, right?
Did you anticipate this victory from a Rally2? Honestly, this shows that in the Dakar, nothing is ever certain.
Daniel Sanders: Still the king
Meanwhile, among the leaders, Daniel Sanders once again showed why he is at the top of the overall. Even finishing in 11th place in the stage, the KTM rider continues to widen the gap. Result: 16’31” advantage over Tosha Schareina and 22’24” over Adrien Van Beveren. In short, Sanders has put all his efforts to maintain his leader title in this edition.
What stands out here is the strategy behind all this. Sanders has managed the pressure of the dunes well and taken advantage of his competitors’ mistakes. We’re talking about someone who masters his field, a true desert warrior. But be careful, he has not won anything yet: Thursday’s special, with its 308 km around Shubaytah, promises to be a real battleground.
The challengers lurking
Behind Sanders, the fight is on fire. Tosha Schareina and Adrien Van Beveren are fighting like lions to stay in the race. The Frenchman, in particular, has tremendous pressure on his shoulders. Why? Because Luciano Benavides, the Argentine KTM rider, is just 6’50” behind him in the overall standings.
And then there is Ricky Brabec, who we might have expected higher in the classification. But well, in the Dakar, it’s not always the big names that shine, and this stage has proven it once again. Do you think Van Beveren will hold his podium position against Benavides? I bet on a dramatic turn on Thursday, because in the sand, anything can happen.
The sand, an unyielding judge
We all know: the Dakar is a matter of endurance, but also of terrain. And this year, the sand is the supreme referee. The riders must balance speed, navigation, and effort management. But the worst part is that those who lead the way end up setting the course for others, a true ordeal. The result: positions are often decided by seconds for those who follow. Thursday’s special will be a true test. With dunes becoming increasingly treacherous and the famous bonuses for those who dare to break trail, the cards could be reshuffled. Honestly, who isn’t eager to see that?
