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MM Technology trucks dominating fourth stage Dakar Rally

Stage 4 of Dakar Rally 2025: A Day of Challenges, Teamwork, and Technical Setbacks

The fourth stage of the Dakar Rally 2025 brought plenty of action and teamwork in the truck category. Martin Macik secured his second consecutive stage win, followed by Mitchel van den Brink (+3:38) and Kees Koolen (+7:45). These three MMT EVO 4 trucks dominated the podium, thanks in part to strong collaboration: Koolen provided spare tires to Macik and Van den Brink.

Navigation Challenges and Technical Issues

Koolen led the race from kilometer 150 to 350, but a navigation error near the finish cost him his first stage win. Nevertheless, his support for his teammates contributed to MMT’s overall success.

In contrast, Maurik van den Heuvel’s day ended prematurely due to a broken gearbox in his truck, which features an MMT chassis and Scania engine. This marked an early exit for his team.

The Van de Laar team finished seventh (+35:56) after a consistent performance, driving cautiously over dangerous lava terrain. Among the De Rooy teams, Zala were the fastest, securing fourth place (+21:54). In the overall standings, they remain third, though their gap to leader Macik has widened to nearly an hour.

Team Insights

Kees Koolen: “It was a technically challenging day, with sharp rocks and tough navigation. We provided one tire to Mitchel and one to Martin but were fortunate not to suffer any punctures ourselves.”

Martin van den Brink: “Our main goal was to keep the truck intact. We’re supporting each other as much as possible and preparing for the marathon stage.”

Changes in the Standings

Due to withdrawals and navigation errors, the standings shifted significantly. Loprais finished ninth in the stage but narrowly retained second place overall. Zala remains third, with Mitchel van den Brink close behind. Koolen and De Groot climbed to seventh and ninth in the standings, respectively.

Provisional Stage 4 Results

1. Martin Macik 5h02m46s

2. Mitchel van den Brink +3:38

3. Kees Koolen +7:45

4. Vaidotas Zala +21:54

5. Martin Šoltys +22:12

6. Tomáš Vrátný +24:27

7. Anja Van Loon +35:56

8. Martin van den Brink +42:18

9. Aleš Loprais +42:20

10. Richard de Groot +52:44

Overall Standings After Stage 4

1. Martin Macik 26h08m56s

2. Aleš Loprais +45:54

3. Vaidotas Zala +56:17

4. Mitchel van den Brink +1:16:56

5. Martin Šoltys +2:49:32

6. Martin van den Brink +3:04:17

7. Kees Koolen +3:54:13

8. Teruhito Sugawara +4:02:05

9. Richard de Groot +4:11:03

10. Anja Van Loon +5:03:28

Looking Ahead

The second day of the marathon stage promises another tough challenge, with hard surfaces and soft plains. Friday will be the official rest day, giving mechanics time for thorough truck repairs.

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