Reigning champion Al-Rajhi abandons Dakar Rally / Photo: © AFP
-
Russia rallies support for army with 'patriotic' tourist routes
-
Cape Verde, Africa's outlier in LGBTQ tolerance
-
Brazil, Germany eye World Cup last 16 as Netherlands face Morocco
-
South Korea demands change after dismal World Cup exit
-
Washington says US, Iran pausing strikes, talks to proceed
-
Stocks mixed and oil rises as US, Iran call end to latest attacks
-
EU, China trade tensions loom over minister visit
-
For sale on Facebook: monkeys, rhino horn and dead pangolins
-
Israelis, Palestinians torn over sacred shrine in city of Hebron
-
In Sudan's Kordofan, a key city reels as paramilitary offensive looms
-
Scheffler to face Hovland in Monday playoff for PGA Travelers title
-
Ryu Hae-ran wins Women's PGA Championship
-
'Burnt out' Stokes leaves England facing tricky questions
-
Germany must win to defy World Cup doubters, says Nagelsmann
-
Critical rescue window closing in Venezuela as quake death toll nears 1,500
-
South Korea's Ryu Hae-ran wins Women's PGA Championship
-
Canada's Marsch praises history-making World Cup 'heroes'
-
Brazil strike confident tone ahead of Japan World Cup clash
-
Co-hosts Canada beat South Africa to reach World Cup last 16 as knockouts begin
-
Israel detonates tunnel, strikes south Lebanon
-
Putin acknowledges fuel shortages after Ukraine strikes
-
Moriyasu praises 'united' Japan on eve of Brazil World Cup clash
-
Canada reach World Cup last 16 as late strike sinks South Africa
-
Looting, theft in Venezuela's earthquake zone add to tragedy
-
Perry stars as Australia knock India out of World Cup
-
Venezuela quakes kill 1,450, time running out to find survivors
-
Stokes 'content' after extraordinary England exit
-
West Indies beat Sri Lanka in first Test
-
Europe swelters as heatwave moves east
-
Asia's World Cup falls apart with just two teams remaining
-
Stokes announces shock England exit as New Zealand eye series win
-
Bromell upsets Lyles, Duplantis shines at Paris Diamond League
-
CAF president Motsepe hails African World Cup successes
-
Man Utd reveal Ugarte knee injury in Uruguay World Cup defeat
-
South Korea coach quits after early World Cup exit
-
Stokes out for 30 in final Test innings after shock England retirement
-
Venezuela quakes kill 1,400, time running out to find survivors
-
Wolff praises 'cold-blooded' Russell, enjoys Antonelli enthusiasm at Austrian GP
-
Hamilton laments lack of power and poor tyre performance
-
Stokes announces shock England exit as Mitchell bats New Zealand into commanding lead
-
Goals galore at record-breaking World Cup
-
Russell overcomes 'tricky run of form' to revive title bid
-
Augusta Tops Best Gold IRA Companies List By Gold Advisor
-
Europe swelters as heatwave moves east, excess deaths rise
-
They support Argentina at the World Cup, but are not Argentine
-
Raducanu hopes to feature at Wimbledon despite injury woe
-
Iran warns ships not to bypass its chosen Hormuz route
-
Russell holds off Verstappen to win Austrian Grand Prix
-
Serena blasts drug test rules ahead of Wimbledon return
-
England captain Stokes to retire from international cricket
Reigning champion Al-Rajhi abandons Dakar Rally
Title-holder Yazeed Al-Rajhi was forced to pull out of the Dakar Rally due to mechanical problems, organisers said on Wednesday.
"Hit by technical issues, Yazeed Al-Rajhi has announced he will withdraw from the stage at km 234," organisers said in a brief update.
"The 2025 Dakar winner sees his overall hopes disappear and will not be able to defend his title this year."
The 44-year-old Saudi had already struggled since the race began this week and was languishing down in 19th place early on Wednesday.
Last year's surprise winner suffered mechanical issues at the worst possible time as Wednesday and Thursday form the first marathon stage, meaning he would not be able to receive mechanical assistance for his Toyota Hilux late on Wednesday at the end of the 452km special stage.
Billionaire Al-Rahji, who comes from one of Saudi Arabia's richest families, has had a tough time since winning the 2025 Dakar Rally.
In April he crashed badly during a race in Jordan, fracturing several vertebrae, keeping him off course for several months.
Meanwhile, South African Henk Lategan, in a Toyota, claimed the overall lead after winning Wednesday's stage in 4hr 47min 08sec.
That was more than seven minutes quicker than Nasser Al-Attiyah, a five-time winner of the Dakar Rally, and Lategan now leads the Qatari by almost four minutes.
U.Maertens--VB