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Nani Roma defies disaster at Dakar Rally: miraculous recovery keeps podium dreams alive

Harry Bright by Harry Bright
January 17, 2026
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 2 mins read
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Nani Roma defies disaster at Dakar Rally: miraculous recovery keeps podium dreams alive

Nani Roma and Alex Haro on their Ford Raptor T1+ of the Ford M-Sport Team during the Stage 12 of the Dakar 2026, on January 16, 2026 between Al Henakiyah and Yanbu, Saudi Arabia // Florent Gooden / DPPI / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202601160506 // Usage for editorial use only //

Nani Roma’s Epic Battle: How a Late Crash and Fuel Crisis Nearly Cost Him the Dakar Podium

In a heart-stopping spectacle that could only be described as the most grueling day of his illustrious career, Nani Roma faced a whirlwind of adversity during Stage 12 of the 2026 Dakar Rally. The factory Ford driver encountered a series of dramatic mishaps that threatened to derail his podium aspirations and extinguish his dreams of a third Dakar victory.

With the finish line tantalizingly close, disaster struck for Roma when he lost a wheel on his Raptor. Completing the timed section of the stage on three wheels was nothing short of miraculous, yet his challenges were far from over. A treacherous transport leg of nearly 200 kilometers loomed ahead, and his podium position hung by a thread.

Roma, who was clearly shaken by the ordeal, candidly admitted, “I lost a bit of concentration. There was wind, dust… and when I looked back at the track, the impact was huge. I locked everything up.” The damage to his vehicle was severe, prompting several fellow Ford drivers, including the legendary Romain Dumas, Mitch Guthrie, and Martin Prokop, to rally to his aid. Dumas, a titan of motorsport with victories at Le Mans 24 Hours and Pikes Peak, generously offered up his Raptor’s front axle, demonstrating an extraordinary display of camaraderie amidst the competitive chaos.

“This is, surely, the hardest day of my career. I don’t believe in miracles… but today I do,” Roma declared, emphasizing the critical role of teamwork in his fight to stay in the race. “Without the team I wouldn’t be here. It’s impossible.”

However, the drama escalated further when Roma’s Ford ran perilously low on fuel, just seven kilometers from the bivouac. In a stunning twist of fate, Ebro driver Laia Sanz came to his rescue after Roma had overtaken her along the route. Displaying true sportsmanship, Sanz towed Roma’s stricken vehicle across the finish line, a gesture that not only salvaged his race but also secured a coveted podium spot.

“Yesterday I was saying there are no miracles… this is one,” Roma reflected, his voice tinged with emotion. As the dust settles on this chaotic day, Roma finds himself over 15 minutes adrift of Nasser Al-Attiyah, who is cruising towards what could be his sixth Dakar title. The prestigious Touareg trophy now feels like an elusive dream, yet Roma’s resilience and determination to hold onto second place amid such adversity is a testament to his indomitable spirit.

“There comes a moment when you no longer think about the podium. You think about crying,” he confessed, encapsulating the emotional rollercoaster that this stage of the rally has been. As the final stage approaches, one thing is clear: Nani Roma’s journey through adversity has transformed into a saga of grit and determination that will not soon be forgotten. The Dakar Rally is not just about speed; it’s about the human spirit’s relentless quest for triumph against all odds.

Tags: 2023-dakar-rally2025-ford-championshiplaia-sanzNani RomaRomain Dumas
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