Ronco Scrivia (Genova, Italy), January 17th, 2025 – The 2025 edition of the legendary Dakar, the world’s most famous Rally-Raid, ended in a triumphant way for the brands of Racing Force Group. Saudi Arabian driver Yazeed Al Rajhi secured his maiden victory among the cars, while Czech Martin Macik replicated his 2024 victory in the Truck category, with a complete supply that also includes Bell Racing helmets and the Zeronoise communication systems.
Each year, the characteristics of the Dakar represent a very important test bed for safety equipment in motorsports, given the extreme conditions in which the competition is held. The comfort and breathability of racewear products, such as suits, shoes, gloves and underwear, as well as helmets and their accessories, are therefore key factors, together with the durability required by intense use over several consecutive days.
Al Rajhi’s achievement is of historic significance, having been obtained by an independent driver who was able to beat all rivals fielded by factory teams, and especially for winning in his home country. In the history in the Dakar between Africa, South America and Saudi Arabia, a local competitor never managed to write his name in the roll of honor before today. For the OMP brand, this is a return to victory in the Cars category after 18 years, when it was the legend Stephane Peterhansel who prevailed.
The 43-year-old Al Rajhi made his Dakar debut in 2015, immediately showing great skills in the rally-raid discipline. After his first podium finish achieved in 2022, he entered the 2025 race as one of the big favorites, soon occupying the highest positions in the overall standings. Together with navigator Timo Gottschalk, Al Rajhi won the second stage, one of the most challenging of the entire race, as it was run over the duration of 48 hours. In the Stage 9, Al Rajhi took the lead in the overall standings for the first time, where he made a definitive comeback in Stage 11, held in the Empty Quarter of the Saudi desert, also demonstrating great strategic skills. The final 61-kilometer special stage was the catwalk to the finish line for the Overdrive Racing driver. Behind him finished South African Henk Lategan, wearing a Bell Racing helmet, after an exciting duel.
In his 13th participation in the Trucks, 35-year-old Martin Macik repeated his 2024 triumph with a commanding run, so much so that he built up a lead of more than two hours over his main pursuers, thanks also to five stage wins. Macik is equipped with OMP racewear, Bell Racing helmet and Zeronoise communication systems, as are co-driver Frantisek Tomasek and mechanic David Svanda, with whom he shares the cockpit. The Powerstar truck set up by the MM Technology team also mounts OMP seats and harnesses.
Paolo Delprato, Chairman and CEO of Racing Force Group, commented: “The 2025 motorsport season began with a triumphant start for our Group, with double success in one of the most iconic competitions existing. We congratulate Yazeed Al Rajhi and Martin Macik, and their respective crewmates, for winning in this edition of the Dakar. This is an extreme race that pushes every human and technical element to the limit, allowing us to discover the quality and durability of our products as on few other occasions, moreover in different categories. We are therefore extremely proud to be part of two victories.”