The Dacia Sandriders is a Dakar Rally stage winner for the first time following a charging performance by Nasser Al-Attiyah and Édouard Boulanger on Stage 9 today (Tuesday).
Capitalising on the speed and performance of their sustainably-fuelled Dacia Sandrider, Al-Attiyah and Boulanger reached the finish of the fast-paced 357-kilometre run from Riyadh to Haradh in 2h52m59s on the back of a fine display.
As well as securing a maiden stage victory for The Dacia Sandrider’s on Saudi Arabia’s hugely demanding round of the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship, Al-Attiyah and Boulanger have moved to within 31 seconds of the overall podium with three days of competition remaining.
Al-Attiyah, from Qatar, becomes the only driver in Dakar Rally history to have claimed a fastest stage time in 18 consecutive participations in the event, ranked as the toughest in international motorsport. He’s also one stage victory away from matching the record of 50 wins held jointly by fellow Dakar Rally legends Stéphane Peterhansel and Ari Vatanen.
The 11th crew to set off from the Saudi capital Riyadh this morning, Al-Attiyah/Boulanger made early progress and were in front by 37 kilometres. But it was really in the final 150 kilometres that they could truly stamp their authority on proceedings, leading the stage by 2m35s after 217 kilometres. They eventually took the stage victory by an impressive 2m47s.
Al-Attiyah/Boulanger had set the fastest time on last Thursday’s 428-kilometre Stage 5 from AlUla to Ha’il only to lose the win when the #200 Dacia Sandrider completed the stage with a spare wheel missing after the supporting frame suffered a failure, which resulted in a 10-minute penalty being applied.
Starting 12th on the road, Cristina Gutiérrez and Pablo Moreno overcame a few navigational issues to set the ninth fastest time of the day in the #212 Dacia Sandrider. It was the Spaniards’ third top 10 stage result of the 2025 Dakar Rally, which marks Gutiérrez’s first appearance on the event competing in the headlining Ultimate class.
KEY QUOTES
NasserAl-Attiyah (Qatar), driver, The Dacia Sandriders : « It was a very good day, I’m happy to win the stage and now with three days left we really need to be focusing, everything is open. It was very clear, a stage without any mistake, our Dacia Sandrider was really flying. »
Cristina Gutierrez (Spain), driver, The Dacia Sandriders : « Looks like everybody had the same problem as us because we were very lost in some parts of the stage. But we solved it with our best attitude and we didn’t lose too much time and we are here. I’m happy to be in the top 10 because it’s always nice to be competitive and I’m also happy for the team because Nasser won the first stage for Dacia so congratulations to all the team. »
DAKAR RALLY PROVISIONAL STAGE 9 RESULTS – Riyadh-Haradh
Stage distance: 357km / Liaison distance: 232km / Total distance: 589km
1st: Nasser Al-Attiyh (QAT)/Édouard Boulanger (FRA), 2h52m69s
9th: Cristina Gutiérrez (ESP)/Pablo Moreno (ESP), +14m26s
DAKAR RALLY PROVISIONAL OVERALL RESULTS AFTER STAGE 9
4th: Nasser Al-Attiyah (QAT)/Édouard Boulanger (FRA), +25m21s
39th (TBC): Cristina Gutiérrez (ESP)/Pablo Moreno (ESP), +37h58m41s
DAKAR RALLY: THE BIG NUMBER
1: A small number today but a very significant one as Nasser Al-Attiyah and Édouard Boulanger scored The Dacia Sandriders’ maiden Dakar Rally stage win.
THE DAY AHEAD: STAGE 10, RIYADH-HARADH, JANUARY 15
There’s an early start for Stage 10, with a long road section taking crews to the sandy expanse of the Empty Quarter. This stage is considered as tricky as it is short – just 119 kilometres – with surprises lurking behind every sand dune. Competitors will need to resist the temptation to go too fast and risk rolling, while also avoid going too slow and getting stuck.
Stage distance: 119km / Liaison distance: 519km / Total distance: 638 km
Linda Hirvonen,