Epic Triumph at Dakar: SuperSwede Ekstrom Dominates Stage 11!
In a stunning display of skill and power, Mattias Ekstrom and his co-driver Emil Bergkvist have once again captured the spotlight at the grueling Dakar Rally, clinching their third stage victory on the formidable route from Bisha to Al Henakiya, which spanned a challenging 346 km. This monumental win marks a historic achievement as it is the first time in Dakar history that a crew has led the timing sheets from start to finish throughout an entire stage!
Behind the wheel of their formidable Ford Raptor, the dynamic duo showcased an unparalleled performance, leaving competitors in the dust and solidifying their reputation as the rally’s elite. The atmosphere in the Ford camp was electric, especially as privateer Romain Dumas and co-driver Alex Winocq secured their best-ever finish, taking second place just 1 minute and 22 seconds shy of Ekstrom’s blazing pace. Carlos Sainz and Lucas Cruz rounded out an all-Ford podium, finishing a mere 64 seconds behind the top privateer, adding to the Blue Oval’s dominance in this stage.
In a bid to reclaim glory, Joao Ferreira and Filipe Palmeiro led the charge for Toyota, finishing as the top crew in their Gazoo Racing SA Hilux—a much-needed morale boost for the Portuguese driver after a challenging marathon stage. The competition was fierce, with Seth Quintero and Andrew Short crossing the line in fifth place, followed closely by Guillaume de Mévius and Mathieu Baumel in their X-Raid Mini JCW, showcasing the depth of talent in this year’s rally.
Meanwhile, Guy Botterill and Oriol Mena delivered a consistent performance, securing seventh in their TGRSA Hilux, while stage nine victors Eryk Goczal and Szymon Gospodarczyk finished eighth, despite their older generation Toyota Hilux. Saood Variawa and Francois Cazalet, who were once in second place during the stage, settled for ninth—highlighting the nail-biting tension of this year’s race as all three Gazoo Racing South Africa cars successfully made it into the top ten.
However, the day wasn’t without its heartbreak. Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings, who started in second place overall, faced mechanical issues that forced them to halt for an agonizing hour and forty minutes. Despite their best efforts to continue, they were unable to complete the stage, a crushing blow to their championship hopes.
In the RallyGP bikes category, American rider Skyler Howes finally conquered a stage win aboard his Honda, crossing the line just 21 seconds ahead of teammate Adrien van Beveren. Howes expressed his exhilaration, stating, “It’s really cool to get a stage win on the Dakar, especially on this edition and on a stage like this, which is my style, rocky and high speed. I’m happy with that, happy with the way I rode.” However, the challenge ahead looms large as he prepares to open the next stage.
Luciano Benavides has reclaimed the lead in the bike category by a narrow margin of 23 seconds over Honda counterpart Ricky Brabec, while Tosha Schareina holds third place, trailing behind by fifteen minutes. As the Dakar Rally inches closer to its climax, the competition intensifies, and every second counts!
With the stakes higher than ever, racers are bracing for what promises to be a thrilling continuation of the rally. All eyes will be on the fearless competitors as they navigate the relentless terrain, desperate to etch their names in Dakar history. Will Ekstrom maintain his grip on victory, or will another contender rise to the challenge? The adventure continues!
