YANBU: Stage 12 of the Dakar Rally Saudi Arabia concluded on Friday. It followed a demanding route from Al-Henakiyah to Yanbu, during which competitors covered a total of 720 kilometers, including 311 kilometers in the timed special stage, as the rally edged closer to its final showdown.

In the Ultimate category, Qatari driver Nasser Al-Attiyah of Dacia Sandriders won the stage in a time of three hours, 21 minutes and 52 seconds — a minute and four seconds ahead of American driver Mitch Guthrie of Ford Racing, who was just 21 seconds ahead of Australia’s Toby Price of Toyota Gazoo Racing in third.

Emirati driver Sheikh Khalid Al-Qasimi of Team SVR completed the stage 31 minutes and 38 seconds off the lead, while his teammate Khalid Al-Jafla crossed the line one hour, 11 minutes and 23 seconds behind the stage winner.

In the Bikes category, American rider Ricky Brabec of Energy Honda took first place after completing the stage in 3:19:01. Argentina’s Luciano Benavides of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing came second with a time of 3:22:44, while Brabec’s Spanish teammate Tosha Schareina came third, finishing 12 minutes and 58 seconds off the lead.

In the Challenger category, Argentina’s Kevin Benavides of Odyssey Academy claimed his stage victory with a time of 3:44:52. His Saudi teammate Dania Akeel was second with a time of 3:47:07, and his fellow Argentinian David Zille of BBR Motorsport placed third, three minutes and 37 seconds behind Benavides.

The SSV category also delivered a close finish, with Argentina’s Jeremias Gonzalez Ferioli of Can-Am Factory Team LATAM first across the finish line in 3:51:36 — six minutes and 55 seconds ahead of Portugal’s Joao Monteiro of Can-Am Factory Team and seven minutes, 39 seconds ahead of Monteiro’s American teammate Hunter Miller in third.

The Dakar Rally Saudi Arabia concludes on Saturday, Jan. 17, with its thirteenth stage, which spans a total of 138 kilometers, including a timed special stage of 105 kilometers.