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Dakar Rally 2025 Prologue: Ekström Takes the ⁢Win, Loeb Struggles

The Prologue of the 48th‍ edition of the Dakar⁣ took place on a 22-kilometer ​course around ​Yanbu. Far from being a simple Shakedown, this first timed section does not count for the general classification of ⁤the ​ rally but allows‍ its ⁢winner to first choose their running ⁢order for the first stage,this Sunday. Of major importance, as opening the track can⁣ be penalizing for car competitors.

It was Mattias Ekström,‌ third in last year’s Dakar, ​who ⁢imposed his Ford Raptor at the finish of this Prologue, eight seconds ⁢ahead of another car⁤ on the blue oval, that of Mitch Guthrie. Guillaume de Mévius placed third with​ his Mini. The Belgian is once again teaming up with Mathieu Baumel,returning to the Dakar just eleven months after a terrible ⁢accident which ​resulted in his right leg being amputated.

Fourth, Nasser ⁤Al-Attiyah leads the Dacia contingent at the finish of the Prologue, while his teammates⁤ are all outside the top 10.Cristina Gutiérrez ⁤is ‍in fact fourteenth in the ranking, Sébastien ​ Loeb victim of the dust of‍ a competitor who started in front of him, probably Henk Lategan, 17th and the reigning world ⁣champion⁢ Lucas Moraes 18th.

For Toyota which brings a new prototype to this edition, the Prologue apparently went ⁢well, Seth Quintero placing ⁣fifth ahead of the reigning winner, Yazeed al Rajhi. Heavily injured with his navigator ⁤Timo Göttschalk‍ in ⁢Jordan last year, the regional rider still hopes to be able to ⁢double‌ the stakes after⁤ a resounding success twelve months ago.

A true revelation of the Dakar 2025 on a motorcycle, Edgar Canet continues his⁢ momentum for ‍his debut in the event in the ​premier Rally GP category. The Spaniard indeed⁤ won the Prologue ahead of the outgoing winner.