Sawt Falasteen - Reigning champion Al-Rajhi abandons Dakar Rally

"Hit by technical issues, Yazeed Al-Rajhi has announced he will withdraw from the stage at km 234," organisers said in a brief update.

"The 2025 Dakar winner sees his overall hopes disappear and will not be able to defend his title this year."

The 44-year-old Saudi had already struggled since the race began this week and was languishing down in 19th place early on Wednesday.

Last year's surprise winner suffered mechanical issues at the worst possible time as Wednesday and Thursday form the first marathon stage, meaning he would not be able to receive mechanical assistance for his Toyota Hilux late on Wednesday at the end of the 452km special stage.

Billionaire Al-Rahji, who comes from one of Saudi Arabia's richest families, has had a tough time since winning the 2025 Dakar Rally.

In April he crashed badly during a race in Jordan, fracturing several vertebrae, keeping him off course for several months.

Meanwhile, South African Henk Lategan, in a Toyota, claimed the overall lead after winning Wednesday's stage in 4hr 47min 08sec.

That was more than seven minutes quicker than Nasser Al-Attiyah, a five-time winner of the Dakar Rally, and Lategan now leads the Qatari by almost four minutes.

T.Ibrahim--SF-PST