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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.