Home » Macik takes the lead in 48-Hour stage, but not without struggle

Macik takes the lead in 48-Hour stage, but not without struggle

The 48-hour Chrono Stage of the 2025 Dakar Rally proved to be an exhausting challenge for the competitors, with the battle for podium positions remaining tense until the very end. Martin Macik, the affable Czech truck driver, emerged as the winner of the grueling stage, completing it in an impressive 12 hours and 10 minutes. This victory allowed him to take the lead in the overall standings, overtaking Mitchel van den Brink, who faced a tough day and lost his grip on the top spot.

Top 3: Macik, Loprais, and Zala

Macik’s victory wasn’t easily earned, with only a narrow margin separating him from the other top contenders. The De Rooy Iveco drivers came closest to Macik, with Aleš Loprais finishing 9 minutes and 43 seconds behind the leader, and Vaidotas Žala trailing by 18 minutes and 52 seconds. Martin and Mitchel van den Brink finished in fourth and fifth place, but both were over an hour and a quarter behind.

Drama for Team Ben de Groot

The big news from the Dutch camp, however, was less positive. Team Ben de Groot, which had been preparing for a joint adventure, was tested when Ben de Groot collided with a stationary local truck. This unexpected crash resulted in significant damage to the truck and what appeared to be a broken thumb for Ben. Fortunately, the local driver emerged unscathed, but the damage to the truck posed a major challenge for the team.

Žala and Van Grol: Surviving with Flat Tires

Vaidotas Žala and his mechanic Max van Grol also had their hands full during the stage. Žala commented, “It was a long and tough stage, but in the end, we had a good result. We had two flat tires, but luckily we brought three spare tires, so we were able to keep going. The truck is fine, although we lost another window after a collision with a dune.” The physical toll of the stage was significant, but the team managed to maintain their position in the standings.

Mitchel van den Brink: A Technical Issue, But Staying Positive

Mitchel van den Brink’s stage started off promisingly, but a technical problem with the rear axle, which led to a loss of four-wheel drive, threw a wrench into his plans. Despite the setback, the ever-positive Harskamper remained optimistic: “The loss is relatively small considering the circumstances. It’s only the second day of Dakar, so we’re staying positive and fighting to come back.” The technical issues caused him to lose over an hour, but the team is determined to recover.

Maurik van den Heuvel and the Dakar Speed Crew

Maurik van den Heuvel and the Dakar Speed crew finished in seventh place, 2 hours and 1 minute behind the leader. Despite facing some technical setbacks, including a broken hood and a leaking fuel line, the mood remained positive. “It was a tough stage, but we did a good job. The truck performed well, and the team is still motivated,” said van den Heuvel.

Women in the Rally: Team Van Loon-Van de Laar

Anja van Loon and Jan van de Laar achieved an inspiring eighth-place finish, despite facing technical problems early in the stage. They received assistance from Team De Rooy, which allowed them to recover lost time and reach the finish line. “We made up a lot of time thanks to Jan’s good work and our quick adjustments. It was a beautiful stage full of challenges, but we’re proud of what we’ve achieved,” said Anja.

Kees Koolen and Team Fireman: Racing Against Time

Kees Koolen, who is tackling the tough Dakar adventure with his team, finished in tenth place, three hours behind the winner. Although they didn’t suffer any punctures, they got stuck twice in the dunes, costing them a total of 2.5 hours. Koolen wasn’t discouraged, stating, “We can definitely keep up with the top teams in terms of speed, but we’re making too many technical mistakes. We’ll keep pushing and hope for better results.”

A Grueling Start to the 48-Hour Chrono Stage

The stage was far from easy, with a mix of technical issues, strategic decisions, and physical exhaustion. While most competitors struggled in the dunes, several top teams made notable performances. Ard Munster and Tomas Tomecek, who ultimately did not finish the stage, faced a series of unexpected events, including assisting other teams in trouble.

Looking Ahead to the Marathon Stage

With the grueling 48-hour Chrono Stage behind them, the competitors now face a shortened marathon stage of 327 kilometers, instead of the planned 496 kilometers, due to severe weather in the region. The ASO decided to reduce the stage length to give the drivers a chance to recover from the tough previous days. The coming days are expected to be even more challenging, with plenty of navigation work and unpredictable desert conditions.

The rally remains unpredictable, and the fight for the lead will undoubtedly continue. Anything can happen in the 2025 Dakar Rally!

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