Luciano Benavides once again proved his ability to surprise by delivering the fastest time over the 356km stage. The Argentine rider climbed into the overall top three for the first time in his career, now sitting just under six minutes behind his Red Bull KTM Factory Racing teammate. Known for emerging at key moments, Benavides continues his trend of strong performances without constant stage wins.
Daniel Sanders used the run toward Hail to reclaim the overall rally lead. Finishing fourth on the stage, less than six minutes behind Benavides, the defending champion appears to be benefiting from a smart team strategy. His starting position for the next dune-heavy stage could work in his favor, possibly with support from a teammate.
The stage also marked strong outings for Nacho Cornejo, who finished second on his Hero bike, and Bradley Cox, who placed fourth, matching his best-ever Dakar stage result.
Not everyone enjoyed a smooth day. KTM rider Edgar Canet saw his early momentum fade after technical issues, effectively ending his challenge near the front. On the Honda side, Ricky Brabec continued his consistent form, while Tosha Schareina dropped to fourth overall after receiving a 10-minute penalty for a procedural mistake at the bivouac. Adrien Van Beveren suffered heavily again, losing more than half an hour due to a mechanical issue.
Ross Branch also endured a difficult stage and now trails the overall leader by over an hour, leaving his title hopes in serious doubt.