Ales Loprais and his crew have achieved another major milestone in the Dakar Rally 2025 by securing their second stage win. This accomplishment has propelled them significantly closer to the runner-up position in the truck category standings.
On Sunday, January 12, the rally continued with a challenging loop stage in Al Duwadimi, covering a total distance of 716 kilometers. The day’s competitive section spanned 419 kilometers, with Loprais’ Iveco #601 starting fifth, following results from the previous stage.
The stage offered no shortage of obstacles. Participants encountered soft sand dunes, high-speed stretches, narrow paths, and rocky patches. Navigation was complicated further by intermittent rain, making it even harder to maintain precision in the demanding terrain. However, Loprais, alongside navigator David Kripal and mechanic Darek Rodewald, tackled the stage with exceptional skill and resilience.
“We gave it everything,” said Kripal at the finish, pointing to the shattered glass on the right side of their truck.
“At one point, in a wadi, we came across low-hanging branches that blocked the way. With no room to maneuver, the branches smashed into the cabin. But we pressed on without letting it slow us down.”
Early in the selective section, the InstaTrade Loprais Team De Rooy FPT crew began overtaking their competitors. By kilometer 183, they were not only leading the course but had also claimed the top spot in the provisional results. Their consistent pace allowed them to finish nearly ten minutes ahead of their closest rivals, earning them a second stage victory in this year’s rally.
“This was a rewarding day for us,” Loprais' navigator commented. “The terrain was demanding, and the navigation added to the challenge, but we pushed through. It was a difficult stage, but one we thoroughly enjoyed.”
Loprais' team continues to hold third place in the overall truck standings. However, their latest win has reduced the gap to second-place Mitchel van den Brink from 52 minutes to just 22 minutes. Meanwhile, they’ve increased their lead over fourth-placed Martin Šoltys to a formidable 2 hours and 13 minutes.
On Monday, January 13, the rally heads to Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. Stage eight will cover 733 kilometers, with 483 kilometers designated as a selective section.
Loprais Tatra Team Maintains Lead in Dakar Classic
In the H2 Truck group of the Dakar Classic 2025, the Loprais Tatra Team remains dominant, though internal shifts have shaken up the standings.
On Saturday, January 11, Jiri Husek, Lubomir Dockal, and Dominik Holan, driving the restored Tatra 815 4×4 HAS, took over the lead from teammates Igor Pazdera, Olga Lounova, and Milan Holan. The latter team, piloting a replica Tatra 815-2 “Puma,” was penalized for repeated violations of speed restrictions in controlled zones, losing 1,000 points. As a result, Pazdera’s crew dropped to second place. Before Sunday’s stage, they trailed Husek by 218 points but retained a significant 2,327-point lead over third-placed Jerome Pelichet of France.
Sunday’s stage presented additional challenges. Participants faced a 333-kilometer selective section, which included three regularity tests—two over 100 kilometers—and a rigorous dune test.
Despite the penalty, Pazdera’s team performed exceptionally well, securing the top spot in two of the tests and finishing second in the final one. Their efforts cut Husek’s lead by 130 points in a single day. The Loprais Tatra Team’s trucks continue to occupy the top two positions in the H2 Truck group standings, showcasing their reliability and skill in this intense competition.
With the rally entering its later stages, both Loprais teams remain in strong contention, proving their consistency and resilience in the face of Dakar’s relentless challenges.
