Skyler Howes finally claimed his first Dakar stage win in his eighth appearance at the rally, becoming the ninth American rider to win a stage. Known for his showman style, the Californian delivered a strong performance on the route to Al Henakiyah, terrain similar to races where he has previously succeeded, such as Vegas to Reno and the Sonora Rally. Although this stage win will not improve his best overall Dakar result (third place in 2023), Howes is still expected to finish just outside the podium.
Meanwhile, Honda used a clever team strategy to help Ricky Brabec in his bid for a third Dakar title. Adrien Van Beveren, who opened the stage, waited for Brabec after refuelling so they could share the time bonuses. Later in the stage, Brabec deliberately slowed down to lose the overall lead, allowing him to start the next stage behind his main rival Luciano Benavides, a tactical move aimed at gaining an advantage in the decisive stage.
This strategy puts Benavides, now the overall leader, under heavy pressure. He leads by only 23 seconds and must open the next stage, with Brabec starting just six minutes behind him, ready to attack.
There was some positive news for Daniel Sanders, who managed to finish the stage despite injuring his shoulder earlier. However, he could only record the 13th fastest time, meaning he will not be able to support Benavides in the final battle. That role may instead be played by Edgar Canet, who finished third on the stage and will start the next special three minutes ahead of Benavides.