Try GOLD - Free
Lategan takes lead as Al-Rajhi pulls out
Bangkok Post
|January 09, 2026
Saudi Arabia's Dakar Rally champion Yazeed Al-Rajhi declared an end to his title defence and withdrew on Wednesday as South African Henk Lategan dominated the fourth stage for Toyota and took over at the top.
-
Al-Rajhi had been struggling from the start in his customer entry Toyota Hilux, and was already 19th when he withdrew with technical issues 234km into the 452km part of a two-day marathon stage around Al-Ula.
“Sadly, our Dakar 2026 journey ends here,” he posted on Facebook. “We'll come back stronger next year.”
The Saudi explained later that he had lost half an hour with two punctures and, with nearly half the stage remaining until the bivouac and having to go slow with no further spare available, had called it a day.
It ended a difficult year for the Saudi since he won last year, with Al-Rajhi crashing in Jordan last April and breaking two vertebrae. He returned to competition only in September.
This story is from the January 09, 2026 edition of Bangkok Post.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM Bangkok Post
Bangkok Post
At least 4 killed in 'most intense attack' this year
Russian forces launched the year's most intense wave of missile attacks on Ukraine early yesterday, killing four people and injuring several others, while emergency power cuts were imposed in Kyiv after damage to infrastructure.
1 mins
January 14, 2026
Bangkok Post
Lawmakers plan visit to Denmark amid threats
A bipartisan group of US lawmakers will visit Denmark this week as President Donald Trump threatens a takeover of Greenland, an autonomous part of the kingdom of Denmark that houses a US airbase.
1 mins
January 14, 2026
Bangkok Post
Academics sound alarm ahead of poll
Group makes urgent reform demands
1 mins
January 14, 2026
Bangkok Post
Carney visits China to mend relations
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney departed for China yesterday, where he will discuss trade and international security at a time when Canada faces uncertain relations with the US due to a trade war and annexation threats from President Donald Trump.
2 mins
January 14, 2026
Bangkok Post
Lightning's win streak hits 10
Nikita Kucherov registered multiple points for the ninth straight game and the Tampa Bay Lightning extended their winning streak to 10 games with a 5-1 road victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday.
2 mins
January 14, 2026
Bangkok Post
G7, allies discuss ways to reduce reliance on China's rare earths
Finance ministers from the G7 and other major economies met in Washington on Monday to discuss ways to reduce dependence on rare earths from China, including setting a price floor and new partnerships to build up alternative supplies, ministers said.
2 mins
January 14, 2026
Bangkok Post
Dead whale marks 1st seen in Thai waters
Marine authorities have confirmed the first recorded sighting of a Longman’s beaked whale, or Indopacetus pacificus, in Thai waters after one of the rare species was discovered dead on a beach in Chanthaburi province.
1 min
January 14, 2026
Bangkok Post
Slot angered by 'weird' Szoboszlai error
Dominik Szoboszlai produced a sublime goal and a ridiculous error as Liverpool eased to a 4-1 win over third-tier Barnsley to reach the FA Cup fourth round.
2 mins
January 14, 2026
Bangkok Post
Thai bond market follows global trend
Thailand's bond market overtook the equities market in 2025, with outstanding value climbing to 17.9 trillion baht, cementing its role asa pillar of financial stability, according to the Thai Bond Market Association (ThaiBMA).
2 mins
January 14, 2026
Bangkok Post
Cops, lawyers probed after Chinese detainees let go
The Immigration Bureau (IB) has opened an investigation into whether police officers, lawyers or other officials were involved in the allegedly unlawful release of two Chinese detainees.
1 min
January 14, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size