The first stage of the Dakar Rally 2025 has tested the endurance and determination of the competitors, and the representatives of Ibiza have left their stamp on this mythical competition. Toni Vingut, co-driver of the Pedregà Team, together with driver Gerard Farrés, managed to place ninth in the Side by Side category, while the duo formed by Sandra Guasch and Matías Rodríguez advanced to 19th place in the Classic category.
Vingut overcomes adversity and climbs up the rankings
The day was not without its challenges for Toni Vingut and Gerard Farrés, who faced difficult terrain after a late start. Dust in suspension and ruts in the track made visibility difficult, and an incident in a curve left the vehicle resting on two wheels, forcing them to get help to continue. Shortly after, a puncture added to the tension of the day.
Despite these setbacks, the pair completed the 499 kilometers of the stage in a time of five hours, 37 minutes and 25 seconds, demonstrating a resilient attitude that led them to climb from 14th place in the prologue to ninth place in the general classification. With this record, they are 44 minutes and 42 seconds behind the leaders, Frenchmen Xavier de Soultrait and Martin Bonnet. “It was a complicated day, but we knew how to stay calm and keep going. Every problem was an opportunity to show our ability to react,” said Vingut after the stage.
Guasch and Rodriguez advance in Classic
In the Classic category, Sandra Guasch and Matías Rodríguez also made a notable improvement. With 159 points, they reached 19th position, a significant improvement over the 30th place achieved in the prologue. The Pedregà Team pair were satisfied with their initial performance, although a 30-point penalty prevented them from climbing even higher in the standings. Guasch expressed his optimism after this first stage, recalling his words at the pre-Dakar presentation: “We want not only to finish this edition, but to surpass what we did last year”.
Challenges on the next day
The second stage of the Dakar promises to be even more demanding, with 992 kilometers spread over two days and no technical assistance. The co-drivers will play a crucial role in navigation, as any disorientation could be costly in terms of time and positions. With a promising start and a combative attitude, the Ibizan competitors have shown that they are ready to face the challenges that remain in the Dakar 2025, taking the name of Ibiza to the top of international motorsport.
