Campbell Takes Rally2 Lead as Dakar Delivers More Drama

Preston Campbell moves into the Rally2 lead at the Dakar Rally after a tough marathon stage, as teammate Martim Ventura suffers a costly mechanical setback.

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The Rally2 category at this year’s Dakar Rally delivered a dramatic change in fortunes as Preston Campbell emerged as the new overall leader after a demanding day through the deserts of Saudi Arabia.

The 417-kilometre special stage near AlUla tested riders with an unforgiving blend of rocky highlands, narrow sandy corridors and sharp stone fields, a combination that punished both concentration and machinery. As the rally entered the marathon phase, competitors looked beyond the finish line, knowing they would have to fix any mechanical problems themselves at camp without outside assistance.

Campbell, competing in his first Dakar, once again delivered a mature and measured performance. Finishing third on the stage aboard his Honda CRF450RX Rally, the Australian continued his run of consistency and moved into a commanding overall lead in the Rally2 standings. His advantage now sits at nearly nineteen minutes, a sizeable margin in a class known for its volatility

While Campbell’s day unfolded smoothly, his Monster Energy Honda HRC teammate Martim Ventura experienced the other side of Dakar’s unpredictable nature. After a strong start to the rally that included a stage win and several runner-up finishes, Ventura struck a rock early in the stage, triggering mechanical issues that forced him into a lengthy roadside repair.

Despite his determination to continue, the time loss was severe. Ventura eventually reached the marathon camp more than two hours behind Campbell, dropping him down the order and leaving him with significant ground to recover in the days ahead.

As the riders settle into a quiet night at the isolated marathon bivouac, attention turns to survival as much as speed. Under headlamps, riders will patch up their machines, recover from the brutal workload, and recalibrate their strategies ahead of the 394-kilometre run to Hail.

For Campbell, the goal is now simple: defend the lead through smart riding and mechanical care. For Ventura, the rally becomes a chase, a test of resilience, patience and persistence.

In a Dakar defined by its ability to rewrite expectations overnight, both riders know that nothing is guaranteed. But after another day of desert drama, it is Campbell who stands at the front of the Rally2 story and firmly on the radar as one of the class’s standout performers this year.