Dakar Rally 2024: Stage 5 Unveils Yet Another Winner Amid Desert Challenges
The 2024 Dakar Rally continued to dazzle motorsport enthusiasts as Stage 5 unfolded in the vast expanse of the Empty Quarter, culminating near Shubaytah. This leg of the rally, a short 118km timed special, brought forth a fifth different victor in five days, counting the prologue. This article delves into the highlights and drama that unfolded during this captivating stage.
Before the contenders tackled the challenging dunes, they had to traverse an arduous 530km on open roads to reach the starting line. This demanding journey set the stage for an intense battle to come.
Among the top favourites for the stage win were Nasser Al-Attiyah, piloting the Prodrive Hunter, and Yazeed Al-Rajhi, the overall race leader driving for Overdrive Toyota. These seasoned drivers possess the expertise to navigate the treacherous desert terrain, making them formidable competitors.
Sebastien Loeb, the victor of the previous stage, faced a slight disadvantage as he was tasked to open the stage. This meant he needed tracks to follow, making navigation a tricky endeavour that cost him precious time. Furthermore, his chances were hit when he incurred a 15-minute penalty for missing a waypoint within the stage.
Throughout the challenging course, Al-Attiyah and Al-Rajhi dominated the timesheets, with Juan Cruz Yacopini and Guerlain Chicherit from the Overdrive team putting up a strong challenge. Mattias Ekstrom continued to impress as the fastest driver among the Audi trio. However, Toyota Gazoo Racing's Lucas Moraes had a setback as he rolled over during the stage, requiring assistance to get back on track and resulting in valuable time lost.
As the stage concluded and all competitors returned to camp, it was Nasser Al-Attiyah who emerged victorious with the fastest time of the day. Chicherit and Yacopini followed closely behind, showcasing the prowess of the Prodrive Hunter. Al-Rajhi secured the fourth spot, with Guillaume de Mevius claiming the fifth position. Impressively, this performance meant that five of the top six vehicles were Toyota. Al-Attiyah celebrated his first win behind the wheel of a Prodrive Hunter, marking his seventh Dakar stage victory with different manufacturers.
While Al-Rajhi lost some time to his Qatari rival at this stage, he maintained his overall lead in the race. The Prodrive Hunter driver now sits in second place, narrowing the gap with Carlos Sainz, who also races for Audi. Ekstrom, another Audi contender, remains behind his teammate. Mathieu Serradori made significant gains in this stage, climbing the leaderboard, while Moraes and Loeb saw their positions drop. Giniel de Villiers continued to shine as the top-placed South African driver, currently occupying the 11th position overall.
As the dust settled after Stage 5, the overall standings for the 2024 Dakar Rally read as follows:
1. Yazeed Al-Rajhi (Overdrive Toyota) - 17 hr 24 min 04 sec
2. Nasser Al-Attiyah (Prodrive) - +9 min 03 sec
3. Carlos Sainz (Audi) - +11 min 31 sec
4. Mattias Ekstrom (Audi) - +22 min 58 sec
5. Mathieu Serradori (CRT) - +31 min 00 sec
6. Stephane Peterhansel (Audi) - +34 min 12 sec
7. Vaidotas Zala (X-Raid) - +37 min 07 sec
8. Guillaume de Mevius (Overdrive Toyota) - +41 min 51 sec
9. Sebastien Loeb (BRX) - +43 min 03 sec
10. Lucas Moraes (Toyota Gazoo Racing) - +54 min 47 sec
In conclusion, Stage 5 of the 2024 Dakar Rally delivered yet another captivating chapter in this epic motorsport adventure. Each day, the competition intensifies, promising more thrills and surprises as the rally unfolds in the harsh desert terrain. Stay tuned for further updates and drama from one of the world's most challenging off-road races.
