STAT OF THE DAY: 11TH DAY IN THE LEAD FOR DE SOULTRAIT
Echoes of 2025 as Xavier de Soultrait leads the SSV overall after stage 1. Back then, the Frenchman held on to the top spot for three stages. The former rider is starting to get used to it. Only die-hard fans will remember that "XdS" had already led the race for a day after stage 4 of the 2021 edition, when he was still racing as a motorbike privateer. In 2024, he flew to the summit again for 6 stages (7 through 12) en route to his first SSV title. Last year, the Loeb Fraymedia Motorsport held on to the lead until the end of stage 3. Today is De Soultrait's 11th day at the top of the Dakar ranking. It was also his seventh special win, adding his two victories on a motorbike to his five on four wheels.
