Dakar Rally: Stage Two Concludes In Saudi Arabia

There’s no easing into the 2025 Dakar Rally, as organisers have thrown some of the biggest challenges at competitors immediately. Stage 2 is the notorious 48-hour Chrono and tonight the convoy sleeps out in the desert, with a massive 1,000km to cover in two days. In the Ultimate class, five-time Dakar champion Nasser Al-Attiyah made his move for the front in the new Dacia Sandrider and spent the day fighting for the lead. The Qatari and his Saudi Arabian rival Yazeed Al Rajhi pushed each other for over 600km before the 5pm racing cut-off. At sunset, it was Al Rajhi who held a lead of just over a minute on Al-Attiyah. While one champion is in contention for the win, the news wasn’t good for defending Dakar winner Carlos Sainz, who flipped his Ford Raptor T1+.

Photo Webdesk

Updated on: 6 January 2025 1:24 pm

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Dakar Rally 2025 Stage 2 In Saudi Arabia Photos: Mattias Ekstrom and Emil Bergkvist

Mattias Ekstrom and Emil Bergkvist | Photo: DPPI / Red Bull Content Pool

Mattias Ekstrom and Emil Bergkvist on their Ford Raptor of the Ford M-Sport Team during the Stage 2 of the Dakar 2025 from January 5 to 6, 2025 around Bisha, Saudi Arabia.

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Dakar Rally 2025 Stage 2 In Saudi Arabia Photos: Sébastien Loeb and Fabian Lurquin

Sébastien Loeb and Fabian Lurquin | Photo: DPPI / Red Bull Content Pool

Sébastien Loeb and Fabian Lurquin on their Dacia Sandrider of the Dacia Sandriders during the Stage 2 of the Dakar 2025 from January 5 to 6, 2025 around Bisha, Saudi Arabia

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Dakar Rally 2025 Stage 2 In Saudi Arabia Photos: Cristina Gutierrez and Pablo Moreno

Cristina Gutierrez and Pablo Moreno | Photo: DPPI / Red Bull Content Pool

Cristina Gutierrez and Pablo Moreno on their Dacia Sandrider of the Dacia Sandriders during the Stage 2 of the Dakar 2025 from January 5 to 6, 2025 around Bisha, Saudi Arabia

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Mattias Ekstrom and Emil Bergkvist | Photo: DPPI / Red Bull Content Pool

Mattias Ekstrom and Emil Bergkvist on their Ford Raptor of the Ford M-Sport Team during the Stage 2 of the Dakar 2025 from January 5 to 6, 2025 around Bisha, Saudi Arabia

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Dakar Rally 2025 Stage 2 In Saudi Arabia Photos: Lucas Moraes and Armand Monleon

Lucas Moraes and Armand Monleon | Photo: DPPI / Red Bull Content Pool

Lucas Moraes and Armand Monleon on their Toyota GR DKR Hilux of the Toyota Gazoo Racing during the Stage 2 of the Dakar 2025 from January 5 to 6, 2025 around Bisha, Saudi Arabiab

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Dakar Rally 2025 Stage 2 In Saudi Arabia Photos: Nasser Al-Attiyah and Mattias Ekstrom

Nasser Al-Attiyah and Mattias Ekstrom | Photo: DPPI / Red Bull Content Pool

Nasser Al-Attiyah and Edouard Boulanger on their Dacia Sandrider of the Dacia Sandriders with Mattias Ekstrom and Emil Bergkvist on their Ford Raptor of the Ford M-Sport Team during the Stage 2 of the Dakar 2025 from January 5 to 6, 2025 around Bisha, Saudi Arabia

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Dakar Rally 2025 Stage 2 In Saudi Arabia Photos: Nasser Al-Attiyah and Edouard Boulanger

Nasser Al-Attiyah and Edouard Boulanger | Photo: DPPI / Red Bull Content Pool

Nasser Al-Attiyah and Edouard Boulanger on their Dacia Sandrider of the Dacia Sandriders during the Stage 2 of the Dakar 2025 from January 5 to 6, 2025 around Bisha, Saudi Arabia

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Dakar Rally 2025 Stage 2 In Saudi Arabia Photos: Seth Quintero and Dennis Zenz

Seth Quintero and Dennis Zenz | Photo: DPPI / Red Bull Content Pool

Seth Quintero and Dennis Zenz on their Toyota GR DKR Hilux of the Toyota Gazoo Racing during the Stage 2 of the Dakar 2025 from January 5 to 6, 2025 around Bisha, Saudi Arabia

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Dakar Rally 2025 Stage 2 In Saudi Arabia Photos: Carlos Sainz and Lucas Cruz

Carlos Sainz and Lucas Cruz | Photo: DPPI / Red Bull Content Pool

Carlos Sainz and Lucas Cruz on their Ford Raptor of the Ford M-Sport Team during the Stage 2 of the Dakar 2025 from January 5 to 6, 2025 around Bisha, Saudi Arabia