In Stage 9, Martin Macik Jr., Frantisek Tomasek, and David Svanda tackled a tricky combination of dusty terrain and tricky navigation. Despite crossing the finish line in fourth place and conceding seven minutes, their overall lead in the truck category remained unchallenged.

Flat-Out Sprint Over Nearly 400 km

Today’s stage, stretching from Riyadh to the Haradh region, was all about raw speed. For more than half of its length, the gaps between competitors were razor-thin, making it a true high-speed showdown.

“Most of the stage flew by, we were not keeping Benny on a leash and kept ourselves among the frontrunners. The time splits were under a minute, so we were all running at a similar pace. Unfortunately, at the neutralization zone, we got together with other categories, which meant battling through thick dust all the way to the finish line, barely seeing a thing,” said pilot Martin Macik Jr.

Navigation Trap at the Worst Moment

The entire field struggled with dust, but Benny’s crew had an extra challenge—a tough navigation puzzle that struck at just the wrong time. While descending a ridge, they hit a tricky waypoint that momentarily threw them off course.

“I’m a bit gutted about today because that trap cost us a few minutes. We weren’t completely sure we had the right heading, so we had to loop around for a bit. It’s just one of those things that happens in the dust, but it’s still frustrating,” admitted navigator Frantisek Tomasek.

Next Up: The Dunes

The rally now moves towards the Empty Quarter, where towering sand dunes await. The upcoming stage to Shubaytah promises a dramatic battle over the crests, testing every aspect of the crew’s skill.