Short Description
Guillaume de Mevius triumphed in Stage 6 of the Dakar Rally, claiming victory for X-raid Mini while tightening the competition with Toyota’s Henk Lategan.
Read Time
3 minutes 30 seconds
Main Article
The 2023 Dakar Rally Stage 6 witnessed a thrilling display of skill and strategy as Guillaume de Mevius of X-raid Mini celebrated his second stage win, significantly impacting the overall standings. The grueling 605-kilometer stage, with a timed special section of 171 kilometers, resumed after a rest day in Ha’il. The competition intensified as Henk Lategan, driving for Toyota, saw his once-comfortable lead of over ten minutes diminish to just seven, highlighting the unpredictable nature of rally racing.
Guy Botterill of Toyota initially took the lead, showcasing formidable speed with his factory Hilux. However, his hopes for a maiden stage win were dashed when he lost crucial minutes before the third checkpoint, fading from first to fifth position. This miscalculation opened the door for de Mevius, who had closely tracked Botterill throughout the stage. Capitalizing on the South African’s misfortune, de Mevius navigated the final 100 kilometers flawlessly, crossing the finish line 1 minute and 34 seconds ahead of his teammate, Joao Ferreira. Ferreira’s impressive rally from behind equated to a respectable second place after overcoming early challenges.
In the ever-competitive landscape of the Dakar Rally, the dynamics shifted drastically as Nasser Al-Attiyah, a prominent competitor for Dacia, surged to third place after a significant final push. Despite trailing behind at the penultimate checkpoint, Al-Attiyah’s speed allowed him to finish the stage just over two minutes off de Mevius. Meanwhile, Al-Rajhi, who encountered mechanical issues and borrowed a spare wheel, fell back into fifth place—chasing his earlier lead against the relentless performance of the Toyota factory teams.
Other notable mentions in the standings include Mattias Ekstrom and Nani Roma from Ford, who struggled throughout the stage, finishing significantly behind the leaders. With the ongoing competition, the stakes remain high as Lategan clings to a slim lead in the overall standings, underscored by the ever-present threat of rapid changes in position as the rally progresses through its remaining stages.
Short Summary
In Stage 6 of the Dakar Rally, Guillaume de Mevius of X-raid Mini emerged victorious, intensifying the competition as Henk Lategan’s lead shrinks. Botterill’s misfortune and Al-Attiyah’s resilience highlighted the challenges and unpredictability inherent in this legendary motorsport event. With six stages remaining, the fight for the title remains fiercely contested.
