US EditionLategan Leads the Dakar, Champion Al-Rajhi Withdraws
Henk Lategan leads Dakar Rally after Yazeed Al-Rajhi withdraws due to technical issues, with Lategan holding a nearly four-minute lead, Toyota reports.
- On 07/01/2026, Yazeed Al-Rajhi withdrew from the Dakar Rally after organisers reported mechanical problems during the Dakar Rally fourth stage, while Henk Lategan won and claimed the overall lead for Toyota.
- During the two-day marathon stage, outside assistance was not allowed and Al-Rajhi lost half an hour after two punctures and running out of spares 234km into the 452km marathon special around Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia.
- Yazeed Al-Rajhi had been struggling this week and fell to 19th early on Wednesday after crashing in Jordan last April, fracturing two vertebrae before returning in September.
- The stage result reshuffled positions among top manufacturers and drivers as Henk Lategan now leads Qatar's Nasser Al-Attiyah by almost four minutes, while Ford's Mitch Guthrie dropped to 13th and teammates Mattias Ekstrom and Carlos Sainz sit third and fourth.
- With punctures mounting, teams flagged equipment stress across stages as a factory Toyota driver reported nine punctures in three days, a strain that contributed to Al-Rajhi failing to defend his title this year.
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Channel News Asia
Rallying-Lategan leads the Dakar, champion Al-Rajhi withdraws
Jan 7 : Saudi Arabia's Dakar Rally champion Yazeed Al-Rajhi declared an end to his title defence and withdrew on Wednesday as South African Henk Lategan dominated the fourth stage for Toyota and took over at the top.Al-Rajhi had been struggling from the start in his customer entry Toyota Hilux, and was alr
Turmoil at Dakar: Al-Rajhi Withdraws as Lategan Leads the Pack | Sports-Games
Dakar winner Yazeed Al-Rajhi withdrew mid-rally due to technical issues. South African Henk Lategan seized the lead, overcoming nine punctures. Meanwhile, Nasser Al-Attiyah moved up to second, and Spaniard Tosha Schareina excelled in the motorcycle category. With continued competition challenges, racers aim for podium finishes.
ledauphine.com
Like Spaniard Tosha Schareina in motorcycles, South Africa's Henk Lategan won the 4th stage of Dakar 2026 this Wednesday, taking the lead in the general classification. The Saudi Yazeed Al Rajhi, who won the title, decided to throw the sponge away.
The champion of the title at the Dakar Rally in car category, Saudi Yazeed Al Rajhi, abandoned the 2026 edition due to mechanical problems in his Toyota, announced the organization of the race. "Victure of technical problems in his car, Yazeed Al Rajhi announces his intention to leave the stage at km 234. The winner of the Dakar 2025 loses his options in the general standings and will not repeat triumph this year," said the organization. The 44-…
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