PUCK KLAASSEN Makes Dakar History While SARA PRICE Battles Back from Setbacks

January 10, 2026

• PUCK KLAASSEN etched her name in motorsports history by becoming just the fifth woman ever to win a Dakar Rally stage, taking the victory on stage three in her G Rally Team G-ECKO. The Dutch driver sits sixth in Challenger standings at the rest day, proving that breakthrough performances can come from unexpected quarters when we stop underestimating what women can accomplish in the desert.
• SARA PRICE showcased the resilience that defines elite competitors by bouncing back from a devastating two-hour mechanical delay on stage one to win stage two in the Stock category. Despite the early setback dropping her far down the standings, she demonstrated exactly why consistency and fighting spirit matter more than a perfect start – currently running sixth overall in her Defender.
• The women’s field spans every competitive class with CRISTINA GUTIÉRREZ running 13th overall in the main category in her Dacia Sandrider, DANIA AKEEL competing in Challenger, and defending W2RC champion VALENTINA PERTEGARINI holding second in Challenger alongside Nicolas Cavigliasso. Meanwhile, LAIA SANZ continues her Dakar campaign in 18th overall, proving the depth of female talent across the field.

challenger, dakar rally, late model stock, w2rc