Al-Rajhi hit by penalties in Dakar opener

Saudi Arabia’s defending Dakar Rally champion Yazeed Al‑Rajhi suffered a costly setback on the first full stage of the endurance event on home soil, receiving 16 minutes of penalties for missing a waypoint and speeding and falling to almost 29 minutes behind the new leader, Belgian driver Guillaume de Mevius. The penalties underscored how quickly fortunes can change in a rally where navigation errors and rule infringements carry heavy time costs.

De Mevius, driving for X‑Raid Mini, produced a steady and clean run over the 305 km special around Yanbu on the Red Sea coast to take the overall lead, capitalizing on rivals’ missteps and avoiding mechanical trouble. His composed performance placed him ahead of a closely bunched field with plenty of stages—and opportunities—remaining across the demanding Saudi route. Qatar’s five‑time Dakar winner Nasser Al‑Attiyah, campaigning for the Dacia Sandriders team, sat second overall just 40 seconds behind de Mevius, while Czech driver Martin Prokop held third for Orlen Jipocar. Sweden’s Mattias Ekström took fourth in a Ford Raptor, reflecting a competitive top group where seconds can be decisive.

On two wheels, Spaniard Edgar Canet retained the provisional lead after the prologue and stayed ahead of KTM teammate Daniel Sanders, with American Ricky Brabec third on a Honda. The motorcycle competition already showed its own drama: Botswana’s Ross Branch posted the fastest time in the 305 km special yet was later handed a six‑minute penalty for speeding, illustrating the tight margins and strict enforcement that shape overall standings.

Organizers designed the opening stages to blend high speeds with technical navigation, testing vehicles and crews while easing competitors into the rally’s stamina demands. Hot conditions and dust reduced visibility in parts, and several crews reported how deceptive transitions between fast tracks, rocky stretches and soft sand required constant adaptation. Teams said some drivers intentionally moderated pace to secure better start positions in subsequent stages, while others pushed for early gains and paid the price for even small lapses.

Al‑Rajhi’s penalties are a reminder that local knowledge and experience do not guarantee immunity from the rally’s navigational challenges or from the discipline required to avoid infractions. De Mevius, cautious about overplaying the significance of leading after just one stage, stressed that Dakar is won through endurance and consistency across thousands of kilometres. With 12 more stages stretching over the next two weeks, teams are already revising tactics: prioritizing reliability, navigation discipline and tyre and suspension management to survive terrain that will increasingly reward conservative consistency or bold attacks depending on evolving standings.