As the 549km test around Shubaytah resumed on Friday, Loeb sat third in the order behind Audi duo Carlos Sainz Sr and Mattias Ekstrom, with 5m19s to make up and only a third of the distance remaining.
But the nine-time World Rally Championship was able to overhaul both Audis in little time, jumping Ekstrom at the first checkpoint of the day before surging ahead of Sainz at Bivouac F.
The Frenchman steadily extended his advantage over the remainder of the stage, claiming a 2m01s victory over Sainz, who hung on to the lead in the overall standings.
It was Loeb’s second stage victory of 2024 and the 25th of his career, making him the sixth-most decorated driver in the history of the ASO-run rally-raid, tied with former Mitsubishi driver Hiroshi Masuoka.
Ekstrom lost touch with Loeb and Sainz as the stage progressed, conceding 10 minutes in the run to the finish line, but still finished well clear of Lucas Moraes in the best of the Toyotas.
Eryk Goczal put in a solid effort in his Taurax Max T3 class entry to round off the stage in fifth, a further three minutes back on Moraes.
Source: Autosport