Henk Lategan: “We really gave it our best”

Dakar 2025 | Stage 12 | SHUBAYTAH > SHUBAYTAH
January 17 ^th 2025 - 13:50 [GMT + 3]

Henk Lategan finished on the podium for the first time in his career on his 4th participation, following 5th place in 2023. The South African could take over the mantle from Giniel de Villiers, who did not finish for the first time since 2003.

“It’s tough to come this far, to lead the race for that long and have a really good race going, just to lose out by only a few minutes at the end. We really gave it our best... The team has been absolutely unbelievable with getting us to where we are, keeping the car in the race and keeping us going. Ray did an amazing job on the navigation. I sat out a year and to jump back in and immediately be fighting with the top guys is unbelievable. We had a great race, it’s sad to lose it by such a small margin with everything that’s happened but we will come back fighting… I definitely feel that I’ve gained a lot of experience. I’m still just at the beginning. This is my third full Dakar. We’ll keep pushing and I’ll work my hardest to come back and win this race”.