Carlos Sainz's defence of his Dakar Rally title ended prematurely on Monday when the Spaniard was forced to pull out after the marathon 48-hour stage won by Lithuanian driver Rokas Baciuska. "It's the end of the adventure for four-time Dakar winner and defending champion Carlos Sainz and his co-driver Lucas Cruz.

Lithuanian driver Rokas Baciuska won the second stage of the Dakar 2025 rally on Monday, the fearsome ‘48-hour Chrono’ while Qatar’s five-time winner Nasser

Carlos Sainz's Dakar Rally ended on Monday after the defending champion's damaged Ford Raptor was ruled out after just two stages of the gruelling two-week race in the Saudi Arabian desert.

The Lithuanian driver had originally been classified sixth before being given 12 minutes back

South African Saood Variawa became the youngest stage winner at the Dakar Rally, with the 19-year-old winning the day for the Toyota Gazoo factory team in the top car category.

His Ford Raptor was in no fit state to continue after being flipped on its head the day before. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Local favourite Yazeed Al-Rajhi won the 48-hour second stage of the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia on Monday, despite a penalty for speeding, as South African Henk Lategan took the overall lead for the factory Toyota team.

Lithuanian driver Rokas Baciuska won the second stage of the Dakar 2025 rally on Monday, the fearsome '48-hour Chrono' while defending champion Carlos Sainz limped in in third. - Third win for Sanders - Australian Daniel Sanders continues to dominate on the bikes,