The Ford driven by Nani Roma and co-driven by Àlex Haro had achieved the best time in the fifth stage of the Dakar Rally, the second part of the marathon day ending in Ha'il. However, a penalty of 1 minute and 10 seconds for speeding in a regulated zone cost the Catalan team the partial triumph. This sanction allowed their teammate, the American Mitch Guthrie, to claim the victory.
Despite losing the stage victory by only four seconds, the strong performance by Roma and Haro allowed them to climb to the fourth provisional position in the overall standings.
Following the penalty, Roma and Haro finished second, 1 minute and 6 seconds behind the winner. This strong day allowed them to move up to fourth place in the general classification, placing them 1 minute and 21 seconds behind third place, occupied by their teammate Mattias Ekström. The Toyota driven by South African Henk Lategan continues to lead the race.
Regarding other Catalan participants, Isidre Esteve (Toyota) finished 21st in the stage and is 28th overall. Meanwhile, Armand Monleón, co-driver for Australian Toby Price, had a more discreet day, finishing 26th and dropping to fifteenth place overall. In the motorcycle category, Valencian rider Tosha Schareina lost the lead after finishing fifth.
