Saood Variawa: “A good comeback”

Dakar 2025 | Stage 3 | ALULA > ALULA
January 7 ^th 2025 - 15:05 [GMT + 3]

Saood Variawa has become the youngest stage winner on the Dakar in the Ultimate class. The South African has lowered the record for precociousness to 19 years of age, only two days after Seth Quintero brought it down to 22 years.

“I definitely knew we were flying. There were a lot of places which could catch you out and end your race. We really took it quite easy in the stuff that was very tricky. François was good with the navigation and we were on point everywhere. We got through a lot of the crowd and put a lot of other competitors under pressure in the rocks. They had punctures so it cleared some out of the way for us. Towards the end, in the last five kilometres, we hit a big rock and got a puncture, but nonetheless it was a really good drive on our side. It was difficult and we had a moment yesterday, an unfortunate incident with Giniel, but nonetheless, this is a good comeback, so we’re looking forward to the rest of the week”.