The 5ᵉ stage of the Dakar 2025 brought its share of surprises and emotions between Alula and Hail. Between controversial sanctions and upheavals in the standings, the drivers had to juggle with strict rules. The Dakar 2025 once again confirms its reputation as an unpredictable and demanding race, where every detail can change the destiny of the riders.
Dakar 2025 Bikes. Adrien Van Beveren: "Today, technology has killed me"
Frenchman Adrien Van Beveren, who thought he had won the 5ᵉ stage of the Dakar 2025, was caught out by a two-minute penalty for speeding, a punishment he attributes to a GPS malfunction. A situation that benefits Argentina's Luciano Benavides, while "AVB" prefers not to elaborate on the subject.
On the bright side, this means he won't have to open the road on the next stage, a task often synonymous with a trap. Thanks to his second-place finish, he climbs to 4ᵉ place in the overall standings, reducing his gap with leader Daniel Sanders to 18 minutes, down from 29 minutes at the start of Al-Ula that morning. He also found himself just 43 seconds off the podium, moving from 6ᵉ to 4ᵉ position.
With terrain more conducive to his riding style expected in the second week, Van Beveren still holds out hope of returning to the podium and granting himself the right to dream... of a final victory?
Sanders (motorcycle) and Al-Attiyah (car) also to blame
Here's a stage that could rekindle the convictions of some drivers. Daniel Sanders, who has dominated since the start of the rally-raid, took the blame. A penalty of 8 minutes and 10 seconds weakened his lead in the overall standings, but the Australian still had some room for manoeuvre against his rivals.
It was the same story in the cars, but this time, five-time winner Nasser Al-Attiyah and his co-driver could have expected it: victims of a puncture, they were unable to replace the damaged wheel in its allocated position (on the side of the car), abandoning it in the desert and returning to the bivouac with only a spare. In the end, it was Quintero who won for a second (!), marking his second stage victory of this edition.
Results for Stage 5 Motorcycles :
1. Benavides (ARG) - RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING - 4h53'00"
2. Van Beveren (FRA) - MONSTER ENERGY HONDA HRC - 47" behind
3. Cornejo Florimo (CHL) - HERO MOTOSPORTS TEAM RALLY - 1'31" away
4. Branch (BOT) - HERO MOTOSPORTS TEAM RALLY - 3'20" away
5. Brabec (USA) - MONSTER ENERGY HONDA HRC - 3'30" behind
Stage 5 results Cars :
1. Quintero (USA) / Zenz (GER) - TOYOTA GAZOO RACING - 4h32'53"
2. Al-Attiyah (QAT) / Boulanger (ITA) - DACIA SANDRIDERS - 1" away
3. Ekstrom (SUE) / Bergkvist (SUE) - FORD M-SPORT - 8" away
4. Lategan (AFS) / Cummings (AFS) - TOYOTA GAZOO RACING - 54" away
5. Al Rajhi (ARS) / Gottschalk (ALL) - OVERDRIVE RACING - 4'17" behind
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9. Serradori (FRA) / Minaudier (FRA) - SRT - 16'28" away
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14. Chicherit (FRA) / Winocq (FRA) - X-RAID MINI JCW TEAM - at 18'47" ..
See rankings at the end of this article.
Penalized for speeding... in a rally?
The idea may seem paradoxical in a motorsport competition, but speeding is indeed penalized in rally-raid. The reason for these speed limits is the need to guarantee safety in certain areas, particularly in the presence of civilians.
This Thursday, Adrien Van Beveren and Daniel Sanders, sanctioned for this reason, attributed their infractions to a GPS malfunction. No appeal is possible, the rules are clear and the drivers' frustration all the more understandable, especially in a discipline where speed is at the heart of performance.
Dakar 2025 Autos. Sébastien Loeb, a denouement that's hard to accept
Sébastien Loeb didn't spare the stewards either on Wednesday. Forced to retire after an accident at the start of Stage 3, the Alsatian made no secret of his bitterness at the FIA's decisions. He found their interpretation of the safety rules "hard to accept", particularly after his team presented evidence in favor of the strength of its roll bar.
Visible damage to Sébastien Loeb's Dacia, forced to retire at the end of the third stage of the Dakar 2025, between Bisha and Al-Henakiyah (Photo: Valery HACHE / AFP)
Nevertheless, Loeb remains undaunted: "I'm not discouraged, I still have the drive," he confided to Le Dauphiné Libéré. Committed to Dacia for two full seasons in the world championship and two editions of the Dakar, he is already looking ahead to 2026, for a 10ᵉ participation in the rally-raid. With five Dakar podiums to his name, his record is nonetheless remarkable, and the envy of many.
Dakar 2025: Bikes overall standings after stage 5ᵉ (of 14)
Here are the general motorcycle rankings after the 5ᵉ stage of the Dakar 2025, marked by numerous twists and penalties :
1. Daniel Sanders (AUS / Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) 30 h 20'15"
2. Tosha Schareina (ESP / Monster Energy Honda HRC) at 7'02"
3. Ross Branch (BOT / Hero Motosports Team Rally), 17'48" behind
4. Adrien Van Beveren (FRA / Monster Energy Honda HRC) at 18'31"
5. Skyler Howes (USA / Monster Energy Honda HRC) at 19'59" (French)
6. Ricky Brabec (USA / Monster Energy Honda HRC), 21'01" behind the winner
7. Luciano Benavides (ARG / Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), 24'15"
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16. Romain Dumontier (FRA / Team Dumontier Racing) at 1 h 51'31" (17ᵉ of the stage)
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18. Neels Theric (FRA / Kove) at 1 h 55'03" (21ᵉ of the stage)
Dakar 2025: Cars overall classification after the 5ᵉ stage
It's from home that Loeb will be supporting his teammate Nasser Al-Attiyah. The "child of the desert" is fourth overall. The South African duo Lategan/Cummings (Toyota) remain in the lead, more than 10 minutes ahead of Al-Rajhi/Gottschalk. Behind them, Ekström/Bergkvist and Al-Attiyah/Boulanger complete the leading trio.
1. Lategan (AFS) / Cummings (AFS) - Toyota - 30 h 20'15
2. Al-Rajhi (SAU) / Gottschalk (ALL) - Overdrive - 10'17" away
3. Ekström (SUE) / Bergkvist (SUE) - Ford - 20'54" away
4. Al-Attiyah (QAT) / Boulanger (ITA) - Dacia - at 35'00"
5. Moraes (BRA) / Monleon (ESP) - Toyota - 41'55" away
6.Guthrie (USA) / Walch (GBR) - Ford - at 42'44"
7. Serradori (FRA) / Minaudier (FRA) - Century - at 45'59"
8. Yacopini (ARG) / Oliveras (ESP) - Overdrive - at 1 h 03'17"
9. Quintero (USA) / Zenz (ALL) - Toyota - at 1 h 30'10"
10. Chicherit (FRA) / Winocq (FRA) - Mini - at 1 h 38'45"
Friday, to recharge the batteries
After a marathon stage with constant twists and turns, the drivers will enjoy a rest day on Friday. A well-deserved break before entering the second week, where the gaps are set to close even further.
Main photo credits: @dakar
