In a remarkable display of skill and determination, Argentine rider Luciano Benavides clinched victory in the fifth stage of the 2025 Dakar Rally. The stage, covering 428 kilometers between Alula and Hail, saw Benavides navigating through challenging terrains to secure his win after French competitor Adrien van Beveren received a two-minute penalty for speeding.
Benavides, riding a KTM, finished just 47 seconds ahead of van Beveren, who had been a strong contender throughout the race. Chilean Ignacio Cornejo followed in third place, finishing 1:31 behind Benavides, while the Botswanan Ross Branch and American Ricky Brabec rounded out the top five.
The stage marked the end of the first week of competition, with a rest day scheduled before the rally resumes. Despite the penalties affecting the overall standings, Australian Daniel Sanders maintained his lead in the general classification, though the gap narrowed as Spanish rider Tosha Schareina closed in.
This stage victory adds to the excitement of the Dakar Rally, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the competition and the resilience of its participants.