Stage 10 of the 2025 Dakar Rally delivered a gripping spectacle as TOYOTA GAZOO Racing’s Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings reclaimed their position at the summit of the leaderboard. Piloting their GR Hilux EVO, the South African duo edged out their closest competitors, Yazeed Al Rajhi and Timo Gottschalk, by a decisive 9 minutes and 36 seconds over the 120-kilometer dune-laden stage. With just two stages remaining, Lategan and Cummings hold a slender lead of 2 minutes and 27 seconds in the overall standings, setting the stage for a dramatic finale.
A Tactical Triumph Over the Dunes
Stage 10 was a strategic battlefield, with the top crews managing their pace to secure advantageous starting positions for the penultimate stage. The 275-kilometer Stage 11 is expected to be a turning point, featuring a solo route without the navigational aid of motorbike tracks. This added complexity underscores the critical importance of a calculated performance.
For Lategan and Cummings, Stage 10 was a redemptive effort after a costly navigational misstep in Stage 9 had relinquished their lead. Undeterred, the pair demonstrated their resilience by reclaiming the top spot, highlighting their championship pedigree as multiple South African Rally-Raid Champions.
“It’s difficult for me to judge the pace in the sand,” admitted Lategan. “I’m more used to gravel, where I can tell when I’m going quick. Here, I rely on others to gauge the pace, especially since there are no motorbikes to guide us tomorrow. The dunes are a real challenge, but we’re ready.”
Moraes and Monleon Shine Bright
Lucas Moraes and co-driver Armand Monleon delivered the fastest performance for the TGR team on Stage 10, finishing just 18 seconds behind the Ultimate category winners. The Brazilian-Spanish duo displayed remarkable tenacity, climbing to second on the road for Stage 11 and maintaining a strong position in the Top 15 overall.
“Short but intense,” said Moraes, reflecting on the day’s efforts. “After yesterday’s challenges, it was great to have a clean stage. The dunes pushed us to the limit, but we’re thrilled with our position heading into tomorrow.”
Quintero and Zenz: Battling the Sands
Seth Quintero and Dennis Zenz encountered mixed fortunes, completing the stage 7 minutes and 7 seconds off the lead despite a five-minute delay caused by getting stuck in soft sand. The pair remains 8th overall, 1 hour and 36 minutes behind the leaders, but are determined to close the gap in the final stages.
“Getting stuck cost us today,” Quintero remarked. “But we’re still in the fight, and tomorrow offers a chance to push harder. The points we’ve earned keep us motivated.”
Variawa and Cazalet’s Resilience Tested
Saood Variawa and Francois Cazalet faced frustration as they navigated through the dust of a slower competitor, losing over 10 minutes in the process. Despite this setback, the pair remains optimistic, eager to capitalize on the long dune stage ahead.
“We’ve made great progress in the dunes since the start of the Dakar,” said Variawa. “Today’s delay was unfortunate, but I’m happy with how we handled the stage.”
The Final Stretch
With nearly 8,000 kilometers covered over 14 grueling days, the Dakar 2025 is poised for a thrilling conclusion. Toyota is in an enviable position, with two of its GR Hilux EVO entries leading the pack. However, as history has shown, the Dakar Rally is a race of unpredictability, and the remaining stages could still deliver dramatic twists.
As the teams prepare for the decisive Stage 11 and the grand finale in Shubaytah on 17 January, the tension among competitors is palpable. With the finish line in sight, every second will count in the battle for Dakar glory.
