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Defending champion Yazeed Al-Rajhi faces devastating Dakar exit after horror nine months

Arthur Ling by Arthur Ling
January 7, 2026
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0
Defending champion Yazeed Al-Rajhi faces devastating Dakar exit after horror nine months

Defending Champion Yazeed Al-Rajhi Faces Devastating Dakar Rally Exit After Nightmarish Year

In a shocking turn of events, Yazeed Al-Rajhi, the reigning champion of the Dakar Rally, has been eliminated from this year’s grueling race, marking the dismal end of a turbulent nine-month period for the Saudi Arabian driver and his co-pilot, Timo Gottschalk. The drama unfolded during the challenging fourth stage, which took competitors on a treacherous route to and from AlUla.

Al-Rajhi, driving for Toyota, faced a catastrophic mechanical failure at the 234-kilometer mark, leaving him and Gottschalk helpless and stranded. The stringent regulations of the Dakar Rally prohibit any outside mechanical assistance during this stage, sealing their fate. While they technically have the option to continue in the race after the stage concludes, their dreams of reclaiming the overall title have been dashed.

This latest setback is just the icing on the cake of a harrowing period for Al-Rajhi and Gottschalk. Their preparation for this year’s Dakar was severely compromised after they suffered a devastating crash during April’s Baja Jordan. The duo was leading the event confidently when disaster struck—they hit an obstacle at high speed, resulting in Al-Rajhi fracturing two vertebrae and Gottschalk enduring an even more severe injury with four vertebrae fractures.

As the dust settles on this latest misfortune, the question looms: what’s next for Al-Rajhi? The former champion entered this year’s rally still reeling from injuries and setbacks, and this early exit from the Dakar Rally may signal a larger struggle ahead. With a history of resilience, fans and followers are left wondering if he can bounce back from this crushing blow and reclaim his status as a formidable contender in the future.

The Dakar Rally, known for its punishing terrain and formidable challenges, has once again proven that even the strongest competitors can face insurmountable odds. As the competition continues, the rally community watches closely to see how Al-Rajhi will respond to this latest chapter in his tumultuous journey.

Tags: 2025-dakar-rally2025-toyota-usa-track-and-field-championshipstimo-gottschalkyazeed-al-rajhi-3
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