A Dutch triumph in the Challenger category: Paul Spierings won the prologue, closely followed by Puck Klaassen just six seconds behind. The 22-kilometre test in Yanbu delivered a historic 1-2 for the Netherlands. In the SSV class, Brock Heger took the win, immediately following up his Dakar victory from last year with a prologue win.
Spierings made a strong statement in the Challenger class. The former motorcyclist, who aimed for the podium last year before mechanical issues ruined his chances, showed that his previous performances were no fluke. “He spent an entire season testing new components to gain marginal improvements here and there,” the organisation reported.
Girl power!
The big surprise came from Puck Klaassen, who steered the KTM X-Bow powered by G Rally Team to second place, just six seconds behind Spierings. “What an amazing way to start the Dakar,” the Dutchwoman reacted enthusiastically. “It was a super-fast prologue, almost full throttle the whole time with some awesome canyons. We were even leading for a while, which was a surprise because we didn’t go all out. I’m really happy we’re finally getting started!”
Dania Akeel completed the podium in third place (+0:12), meaning two women made it into the top three. Defending champion Nicolás Cavigliasso had to settle for fourth place, fourteen seconds behind. The Argentinian, who is defending his title alongside his wife Valentina Pertegarini (two-time world navigation champion), immediately faces a deficit.
Benavides makes an impression on four wheels
Kevin Benavides made an impression in his first Dakar prologue on four wheels. The two-time motorcycle winner finished seventh, 22 seconds behind. “It was obviously a completely different experience, but I enjoyed every moment,” the Argentinian said with a broad grin. “We set a strong pace without being reckless.”
Dakar legend Bruno Saby, winner of the 1993 edition, made his return after nineteen years of absence. The former factory driver, with fifteen stage wins to his name, finished 25th. “I no longer have the ambitions I used to, but my soul still craves competition,” the Frenchman said. “I’m doing it my own way, with a clear mind, but still striving for my best performance.”
Dutch Challengers with mixed success
Besides Spierings’ victory and Puck Klaassen’s strong performance, other Dutch competitors were also in action. Kees Koolen finished 17th (+0:50), and Lex Peters 23rd (+1:07), both in the G Rally Team G-Ecko. Dick van Culenborg finished 24th (+1:29) in his Taurus T3 Max.
Riné Streppel came in 29th (+2:06) in the Arcane T3, followed by Daniel Kersbergen in 33rd place (+3:24) and Henri van Steenbergen in 34th (+4:14), both in a GPR. Pim Klaassen experienced technical issues and finished 37th, over 32 minutes behind, but still reached the finish.
Polaris strikes first in SSV battle
In the SSV category, Brock Heger won the prologue for Polaris RZR. The American, who won the SSV class in his Dakar debut last year, posted a time of 12:47, four seconds faster than Gonçalo Guerreiro, also in a Polaris. Kyle Chaney completed the podium for Can-Am (+0:06).
Chaney is one of the best UTV drivers from America and made history last year by becoming the first to win the 4400 Unlimited Class at the famous King of the Hammers in a modified UTV. On his rally-raid debut at the Rallye du Maroc, he finished fifth immediately. The question is whether he can follow in Brock Heger’s footsteps.
“Chaleco” López and tactical choices
Francisco “Chaleco” López, a three-time Dakar winner in the SSV (2019, 2021, 2022), finished sixth (+0:21). The Chilean is racing his fifteenth Dakar and once again has Álvaro León as his navigator, the same person he won his first SSV victory with. After a win at the Rallye du Maroc, he arrived in Saudi Arabia full of confidence.
Richard Aczel finished 31st (+2:01) with a deliberate strategy. Navigator Wouter Rosegaar explained: “We took it easy. Many riders will have pushed hard over the stones because it’s a prologue. We didn’t take any risks and drove it like a regular stage. That’s how we’re approaching this Dakar: our own pace, trying to limit mistakes and risks.”
Prologue results – Challengers
1. Paul Spierings / Jan Pieter van der Stelt 00:12:31
2. Puck Klaassen / Augusto Sanz +00:00:06
3. Dania Akeel / Sébastien Delaunay +00:00:13
18. Kees Koolen / Jurgen van den Goorbergh +00:00:51
21. Lex Peters / Mark Salomons +00:01:07
24. Dick van Culenborg / Johannes Schotanus +00:01:30
29. Riné Streppel / Lisette Bakker +00:02:06
33. Daniel Kersbergen / Michiel Goegebeur +00:03:25
34. Henri van Steenbergen / Daan van Ooijen +00:04:14
37. Pim Klaassen / Mark Laan +00:32:29
Prologue results – SSVs
1. Brock Heger / Max Eddy 00:12:47
2. Gonçalo Guerreiro / Maykel Justo +00:00:04
3. Kyle Chaney / Jacob Argubright +00:00:06
31. Richard Aczel / Wouter Rosegaar +00:02:01
