Watch daily extended highlights from the 2025 edition of the Dakar Rally each morning via our - plus a daily 15-minute mini recap and more from January 4 to January 18 (AEDT).
Race organisers opted to reduce the bikes component of the stage due to the heavy fog nesting over the Empty Quarter, but that didn’t prevent Sanders from ceding time to his rivals.
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Dakar Rally 2025
series • motorsport
series • motorsport
A hard crash in the dunes forced the Red Bull KTM Racing rider to negotiate the rest of the shortened, 152-kilometre stage at a slower pace, before crossing the line in sixth position, 7’31” behind winner Tosha Schareina.
Schareina now trails Sanders in the overall standings by nine minutes heading into the final day, where only a mechanical or accident can stop the latter from joining Toby Price (2016 and 2019) as an Australian champion of the Dakar.
Compatriot Toby Hederics, meanwhile, had no serious issues during the journey through Shubaytah and came home in 15th place to further preserve his top-10 standing in the Rally 2 classification.
The heavy fog also affected brothers Peter and Christopher Schey in the Classic category, with organisers later limiting their travels to 211 kilometres.
Nevertheless, the pair thrived in the conditions, finishing in 22nd place and moving up to 13th in the overall standings ahead of the Dakar’s final day.
