
'Disaster' As Roadbook Error Causes Chaos At Dakar Rally
Faizan Hashmi Published January 13, 2025 | 02:20 AM

Al Duwadimi, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Jan, 2025) An organisers' error in the drivers' route guide caused chaos at the Dakar Rally on Sunday as cars went off the route into the vast Saudi Arabian desert in a blunder blasted as a "disaster" by a former champion.
The roadbook error came at kilometre 158 of stage 7, a 412km loop which started and finished in Al Duawadimi, and was enough to take the leaders off course.
Losing precious time, they drove aimlessly in the desert until an organisation helicopter came to put the cars back on the right track.
"We were there for 50 minutes, 50 minutes of going round in circles," said Belgian driver Guillaume de Mevius, who was among the first to arrive at the faulty mark in his Mini.
"We were crossing paths with everyone who was turning round, trying to get to the same place as us but which we'd already tried."
As a result, the organisers had to erase the times on a 20-kilometre section of the special although there was still confusion over the remainder of the course because of the order in which the cars had set out.
The incident prompted stinging criticism of the organisers.
"When you want to do the roadbook, do it well," said Qatar's five-time winner Nasser al-Attiyah, driving a Dacia, at the finish.
"You have to check it many, many times because this was a disaster. It was a big risk."
Brazilian Lucas Moraes of Toyota emerged from the confusion as the day's stage winner, finishing 7min 41sec ahead of Swede Mattias Ekstrom with American Mitchell Guthrie at 9min 28sec, both in Fords.
"Nice to win one more stage in the Dakar, these things are really hard to get," said Moraes.
"I think maybe tomorrow it's going to be just like this one today and then we're going to start reaching the Empty Quarter."
In the overall standings, South African leader Henk Lategan in a Toyota has a lead of just 21 seconds over Saudi Arabia's Yazeed al-Rajhi. Ekstrom is third at 10min 25sec.
The car category also saw the withdrawal for "medical reasons" of the duo of Toby price and Sam Sunderland of Overdrive. The double Dakar winners in the bike category had teamed up this year in the cars.
- 'Pretty fast' Sanders -
Daniel Sanders underlined his dominance on the bikes, which were not affected by the roadbook error, with his fifth stage win of this year's race.
The 30-year-old Australian (KTM) finished 3min 36sec ahead of 19-year-old Spaniard Edgar Canet.
"It was pretty fast, very fast," said Sanders.
"Technical at the start, we had a lot of rain but it was only at the start. So it was a pretty wet line to see in front and just had us kind of correct and not following mistakes with the navigation.
"The speed was good, head was good, so it was a much better day."
Sanders now leads the standings by 15min 33sec from Spaniard Tosha Schareina (Honda) who finished the day in third place, a further nine seconds behind Canet.
Frenchman Adrien Van Beveren is third in the overall standings at 26min 07sec
Monday's eighth stage is a 483km special from Al Duwadimi to Riyadh.
Related Topics
Recent Stories

WGS25: PwC Middle East spotlights government innovation with insights on healthc ..

Hazza bin Zayed reviews Ramadan event programme in Al Ain Region

UAE’s medal tally rises to 18 at Fazza Para Athletics GP 2025

EAD issues regulations on administrative penalties to enhance proactive environm ..

Dominica draws inspiration from UAE's digital transformation: Prime Minister

Crackdown on wall chalking: 3 cases filed, 4 arrested in ICT

Chairman Gulshan town visits Karachi University Book Fair

Deputy Chairman Senate announces three-member panel for 346th Senate session

Senate’s House Committee meets to outline agenda for 346th Session

Two killed, several injured in Toba Tek Singh accident

XRANGE expands operations with new runway, advanced facilities, enhanced service ..

Abdullah bin Zayed, Moldovan FM discuss bilateral relations
More Stories From World
-
Fire at Rio de Janeiro Carnival costume factory injures 21
4 minutes ago -
At least 20 hurt after car crashes into crowd in Munich
3 hours ago -
US denies Trump peace push a 'betrayal' of Ukraine
5 hours ago -
Titan Submarine passengers likely spent their final hours in darkness, listening to music
5 hours ago -
Trump and Putin set to meet in Saudi Arabia on Ukraine
6 hours ago -
India's Modi seeks to avoid Trump's wrath
6 hours ago
-
Majority of Americans reject Trump's plan to 'take over' Gaza: US Poll
6 hours ago -
Germany's Thyssenkrupp narrows losses but warns of uncertainty
6 hours ago -
Muto leads Kobe's charge for third consecutive J. League title
8 hours ago -
4.8-magnitude earthquake strikes coast of Honduras
8 hours ago -
Tourism Minister participates in UN Tourism Regional Commission for Middle East
8 hours ago -
Sony hikes profit forecast on strong gaming business
8 hours ago