By Two Seconds
A Dakar to Remember – The Benavides Legacy Grows
Every edition of the Dakar arrives with questions.
Who’s in shape? Who’s hiding their hand? Who’s ready to survive the thousand ways this rally can bite back? And in 2026, those questions were louder than ever.
Some riders lined up still healing. Others had demons to chase from past editions. Everyone knew the risks.Daniel Sanders, reigning champion, was ready to charge again.Tosha Schareinacarried high expectations after a breakthrough season.Ricky Brabec, quiet and focused, eyed a third title. And further down the grid,Luciano Benavides, back from injury, waited for his moment.
There were others too.Adrien Van Beveren, a veteran with unfinished business. AndEdgar Canet, last year’s Rally2 winner, now stepping into the top class with nothing to lose.
This was a Dakar without the Empty Quarter, but not without pressure. Fast stages. Strategy plays. Silent shifts in the standings.
Mistakes cost time. Navigating the unknown cost more.
And yet, the race kept twisting.
Lines shifted. Roles reversed.
Until, finally, the story wrote itself.
Before the Storm – From Yanbu to Riyadh
The Awakening of the Learner
(Prologue + Stage 1)
The 2026 Dakar Rally opened with a name few expected at the top.
Edgar Canet, a 20-year-old Spaniard and the 2025 Dakar Rally2 category winner, made his RallyGP debut with the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team and immediately stamped his mark on the race. Fastest in the prologue by just three seconds, he became the youngest stage winner in the history of the Dakar. It was no fluke. His time over the looped course around Yanbu placed him ahead of his seasoned teammate Daniel Sanders (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), with Ricky Brabec (Monster Energy Honda Team) close behind. The orange factory machines looked sharp. Luciano Benavides, also riding for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, placed fourth, just eleven seconds adrift.
In Rally2,Michael Dochertyrepeated his Sea Camp prologue win from the previous year. The South African, riding forBAS World KTM Racing Team, had a clean run that gave him a 26-second lead in his class, withTobias Ebster(KTM) andKonrad Dąbrowski(Duust Rally Team / Husqvarna) following. RookiesPreston CampbellandRuy Barbosa, both riding forHonda, closed out the top five. But it was a short Dakar forNeels Theric(Team Kove Rally), who stopped just 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) into the stage due to mechanical trouble. The desert had started making its selections early.
The next day,Edgar Canetbacked up his debut with a second stage win. ThoughRoss Branch(Hero MotoSports Team Rally) was the fastest rider on the 305-kilometer (189.5-mile) timed special, a six-minute penalty for speeding erased his claim to victory. Canet inherited the stage and extended his lead in the overall standings. Just like in the prologue, the podium was shared between KTM and Honda:Daniel Sanders(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) followed 1 minute and 2 seconds behind, withRicky Brabec(Monster Energy Honda Team) another 30 seconds back. The young Spaniard had not only kept the pace, he was setting it.
In Rally2,Michael Docherty(BAS World KTM Racing Team) secured his eleventh class win, though this one came with more resistance. RookieMartim Ventura, riding forHonda, led for most of the 305-kilometer (189.5-mile) special but dropped back near the finish. The final gap between them was 1 minute and 28 seconds, close enough to hint at growing tension in the category.
The 2026 Dakar had only just begun, but it was already clear that youth and boldness were going to shape its early chapters. The desert was watching.
Shifting Sands and Tight Margins
(Stage 2 + Stage 3)
Daniel Sanders(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) needed just one day to take back control of the rally. The Australian rider delivered a solid performance on Stage 2 between Yanbu and AlUla, winning the 400-kilometer (248.5-mile) special and earning his tenth Dakar stage victory.Edgar Canet, opening the stage after back-to-back wins, led for the first 100 kilometers (62 miles), but a minor fall allowed his teammate to catch up and eventually take the lead. With bonus time awarded to the front runners factored in, the gap between the two KTM riders was 1 minute and 35 seconds in favor of Sanders, who also moved into the overall lead.
Ricky Brabec(Monster Energy Honda Team) posted the third-best time of the day, holding his position in the general standings. The top five remained tight, withTosha Schareina(Monster Energy Honda Team) 4 minutes and 41 seconds behind the leader andRoss Branch(Hero MotoSports Team Rally) trailing by 7 minutes and 46 seconds. Further back,Adrien Van Beveren(Monster Energy Honda Team) had already lost significant time and sat tenth overall, more than 14 minutes off the lead.
In Rally2, the day marked a historic moment.Martim Ventura, a Dakar rookie riding for Honda, became the first to win a stage for the Japanese brand in this category since it was created in 2022. Despite the victory, Ventura remained second overall, withMichael Docherty(BAS World KTM Racing Team) still leading by 19 seconds.
Stage 3 brought another change of pace.Tosha Schareina, last year’s W2RC runner-up, stepped forward with a decisive win in the AlUla loop stage. He managed to hold off bothSandersandBrabec, moving to third overall and cutting the gap to the lead. Brabec climbed into second place, just 1 minute and 7 seconds behind Sanders, while Canet dropped to fourth after a less competitive stage.
Meanwhile, Rally2 saw the leaderboard start to fracture.Tobias Ebster, one of the category favorites, crashed and suffered a hand injury that may force him to withdraw. His exit, combined with earlier setbacks forNeels ThericandHarith Noah, left the fight centered on Docherty and Ventura. Docherty claimed another win, extending his advantage to 3 minutes and 32 seconds.
Before the Storm – Riyadh on the Horizon
(Stage 4 to Stage 6)
Stage 4 brought strategy to the forefront, with the route between AlUla and the bivouac-refuge pushing riders to balance raw speed with sharp navigation.Tosha Schareina(Monster Energy Honda Team) delivered a second consecutive win, navigating solo at the front for much of the 417-kilometer (259-mile) special. His pace put him at the top of the general standings, thoughRicky Brabec(Monster Energy Honda Team) was officially tied with him in time. Schareina held the lead by virtue of better stage performance.Skyler Howes(Monster Energy Honda Team) crossed just 10 seconds behind, securing a full Honda sweep of the top three.
Behind them, the KTM camp remained patient.Daniel Sanders(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) finished fifth, 2 minutes and 37 seconds off the pace, but maintained a manageable gap of 1 minute and 24 seconds in the overall.Luciano Benavides(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) placed eighth.Edgar Canet, who started the rally with commanding performances, encountered technical issues, including damage to the rear wheel mousse, which slowed him down considerably and pushed him out of the top group.
The Rally2 class took an unexpected turn.Michael Docherty(BAS World KTM Racing Team) suffered a broken wheel and failed to reach the bivouac, triggering a significant penalty.Martim Ventura(Honda) also lost nearly two hours due to mechanical problems. Their misfortunes allowedPreston Campbell(Honda), son of American Dakar pioneerJohnny Campbell, to move into the category lead.Neels Theric(Team Kove Rally), who had opened the rally with setbacks, claimed his first stage win and also gave Kove its first Rally2 victory.
Stage 5, from the bivouac-refuge to Hail, marked a quiet surge fromLuciano Benavides, who posted the fastest time over 356 kilometers (221 miles). The Argentine rider entered the top three overall for the first time, sitting 5 minutes and 55 seconds behind his teammate Sanders.Ignacio “Nacho” Cornejo(Hero MotoSports Team Rally) took second on the day, andBradley Cox(BAS World KTM Racing Team) equaled his best Dakar stage finish in fourth.
Sanders used the stage to retake the overall lead, placing fourth but benefiting from smart team strategy. In contrast, Schareina slipped down the standings after a 10-minute penalty for leaving the bivouac-refuge incorrectly. He dropped to fourth overall and now faced a 12-minute deficit. Brabec continued to deliver steady results, which placed him in a strong position heading into the final push. Meanwhile,Adrien Van Beveren(Monster Energy Honda Team) experienced more bad luck, losing over 30 minutes due to debris caught in his wheel.Ross Branch(Hero MotoSports Team Rally) also dropped significantly, falling more than an hour behind.
Stage 6, the last before the rest day, unfolded on the dunes between Hail and Riyadh. Sanders started in third and quickly passed bothCornejoandBenavidesto ride alone for much of the special. He collected 2 minutes and 40 seconds in bonuses for opening the stage and extended his lead in the general standings. But the high pace had its cost, a six-minute penalty for speeding reduced his gains.
Ricky Brabeckept his pace consistent and took the stage win, his twelfth in Dakar. He remained Sanders’ closest rival, just 45 seconds behind in the overall, and the only RallyGP rider to reach the rest day without a major mistake. Schareina, unable to fully recover from his previous penalty, held fourth overall, just behind Benavides.
In Rally2,Michael Dochertyreturned with a vengeance. Despite his earlier penalty, he dominated the sandy terrain and finished fourth overall in the stage rankings. Though he had no chance in the general standings, his performance showed he wasn’t done yet.
Seconds in the Sand
Momentum and Mind Games
(Stage 7 to Stage 9)
The second week of the Dakar 2026 began with the race wide open.Luciano Benavides, riding forRed Bull KTM Factory Racing, launched his counterattack on the 459-kilometer (285-mile) special between Riyadh and Wadi Ad-Dawasir. Starting sixth, the Argentine seized the opportunity to push hard on the fast terrain, completing the stage in just over four hours. His effort earned him a seventh career Dakar stage win and brought him to within fifteen seconds of the overall runner-up,Ricky Brabec(Monster Energy Honda Team).Edgar Canet, still delivering strong performances despite no longer being in contention, came in second on the day, followed closely byAdrien Van Beveren(Monster Energy Honda Team), who finally found his pace after a tough first week.
At the top of the general classification,Daniel Sanders(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) held onto the lead. His third place on the stage came with a cost. Starting well ahead of Brabec meant he would be the first to open the next stage, while his rival had a twenty-one-minute advantage in start time. Brabec, known for his tactical instincts, was in the perfect position to strike.
Tosha Schareina(Monster Energy Honda Team) lost some ground despite collecting time bonuses for opening the stage. Still in fourth overall, his deficit had grown to over fifteen minutes. Meanwhile, in Rally2,Michael Docherty(BAS World KTM Racing Team) showed flashes of brilliance once again. He finished fifth overall on the stage and claimed his fifth class win of the rally, a welcome highlight after his hopes for the title were dashed earlier in the week.
The following day, Benavides proved he was exactly where he belonged. The Argentine rider delivered a flawless solo ride on the longest stage of the rally, a 483-kilometer (300-mile) loop around Wadi Ad-Dawasir. Opening the stage, he swept up all the bonus time available, more than seven minutes in total, and claimed his third stage win of 2026. With it came the overall lead, just ten seconds ahead of Sanders.
Behind him, Sanders remained firmly in the fight. Brabec, now in third overall and 4 minutes and 47 seconds off the lead, continued to apply pressure. Schareina, still hanging on in fourth, was almost twenty minutes back but far from out of the game.
In Rally2,Neels Theric(Team Kove Rally) took his third stage win of the year, benefiting from a crash by Docherty near the end of the special.Preston Campbell(Honda), the category leader, saw his advantage shrink slightly to 9 minutes and 36 seconds, withToni Mulec(BAS World KTM) closing in.
Stage 9 brought the first leg of the second marathon. Navigation errors on the route to the bivouac-refuge disrupted the field. Benavides and Sanders lost time after selecting the wrong canyon early in the stage. Schareina, however, made the correct choice and capitalized with a powerful finish. He won the stage, putting 6 minutes and 24 seconds into Sanders, and nearly the same margin over Brabec. Still in fourth overall, Schareina cut his gap to the lead down to fifteen minutes.
Despite the time loss, Sanders came out of the day with a silver lining. Since both he and Benavides had made the same navigational error, the Australian regained the overall lead. He now had 6 minutes and 24 seconds over Brabec heading into the second half of the marathon stage, where dunes and fatigue could yet tip the balance.
Collapse and Counterattack
(Stage 10 to Stage 11)
The road to Bisha brought the first real break in the fight for the title.Daniel Sanders(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), who had led much of the rally with sharp navigation and steady speed, suffered a crash 138 kilometers (85.7 miles) into the 371-kilometer (230-mile) special. He hurt his left shoulder and, although he gritted his teeth to finish the stage, the Australian dropped nearly half an hour. His chances of back-to-back Dakar wins all but disappeared.
While one contender fell, another rose.Adrien Van Beveren(Monster Energy Honda Team) won the stage, his first of the rally and seventh of his career, following a strong ride through sandy terrain.Luciano Benavides(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), who started ninth on the day, came close to victory but had to settle for second. He moved into a near-deadlock withRicky Brabec(Monster Energy Honda Team) in the general classification. Just twenty seconds separated them, and the rally had turned into a head-to-head.
As Sanders slipped to fifth overall, the weight of KTM’s hopes rested on Benavides. For Brabec, a two-time winner, the timing was perfect. He and Honda set up a plan. On Stage 11, Brabec surrendered the overall lead on purpose.
Skyler Howes(Monster Energy Honda Team) won the 420-kilometer (261-mile) special into Al Henakiyah, his first Dakar stage win in eight attempts. The Californian’s strength on similar terrain in events like Vegas to Reno had finally translated into a Dakar victory. The real story, though, was unfolding behind him.
Adrien Van Beveren, opening the stage, waited for Brabec after refueling. This allowed them to share bonus points for leading the way, a calculated team move to keep Brabec in touch with Benavides. Then came a bold decision: Brabec eased off at the end of the stage, intentionally allowing Benavides to retake the overall lead by 23 seconds.
It was a classic tactical play. With just two stages to go, Brabec had secured a favorable starting position for Stage 12. He would start six minutes behind Benavides, close enough to chase him, and with only seconds to recover. The final duel was set.
The Final Stage – A Twist at the Finish Line
(Stage 12 and 13)
Ricky Brabec(Monster Energy Honda Team) executed his strategy with the precision of a veteran. On Stage 12, starting six minutes behindLuciano Benavides(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and trailing by just 23 seconds in the overall, the American knew exactly what he needed to do. Over 420 kilometers (261 miles) from Al Henakiyah to Yanbu, Brabec delivered a controlled but relentless ride, catching his rival and finishing with a margin that seemed to seal the race.
His second stage win of the rally, and thirteenth of his career, gave him a lead of 3 minutes and 43 seconds over Benavides. With just the final loop remaining, 105 kilometers (65 miles) of mixed terrain around Yanbu, the general consensus was clear: the 2026 Dakar was Brabec’s to lose.
But the Dakar always reserves the right to rewrite its own ending.
On the final morning,Skyler HowesandAdrien Van Beverenopened the way but soon let the leading pair take the fight to the front. Brabec, now in control, rode to protect his lead, collecting up to 1 minute and 23 seconds in opener bonus time. Behind him, Benavides had one chance, and he took it.
At kilometer 98.4, with less than 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) to go, Brabec made a small navigational error. He veered slightly left, missed the correct line, and was forced into a corrective loop of about 3 kilometers (1.9 miles). It was enough.
Benavides crossed the finish line and waited. When Brabec arrived, the clocks told the story:2 seconds. That was the difference. The narrowest margin in Dakar history. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing erupted in celebration. The Argentine rider had just claimed his first Dakar title, joining his brotherKevin Benavides, winner in 2021 and 2023, as part of rally raid history.
The twist was brutal. Brabec, who had calculated every move to perfection, had lost it in the final stretch. Yet, he took the defeat with grace, knowing the risk he took and how close he came to a third crown.
In Rally2, the battle also flipped at the last moment.Preston Campbell(Honda), who had led the standings until Stage 11, was overtaken byToni Mulec(BAS World KTM Racing Team). The Slovenian rider, consistent and methodical throughout, finished with a 4-minute and 37-second advantage and claimed his first Dakar win after four participations. Campbell, however, earned the top rookie title and a tenth place overall, an impressive debut for the son of Dakar legendJohnny Campbell.
The final shout belonged toBenjamin Melot, who conquered theOriginal by Motulclass for riders without assistance. After narrowly missing out last year, he claimed the win by over 14 minutes ahead ofJosep Pedró.
When the dust finally settled in Yanbu,90 motorcycleshad crossed the finish line. And one story, written in dunes, in seconds, and in silence, had joined the most unforgettable endings the Dakar has ever known.
A Race Measured in Heartbeats
“This is Dakar, men.”
A phrase repeated year after year, by riders from every corner of the world, usually after a crash, a mistake, or a brutal day in the saddle. It’s not an excuse. It’s an explanation. And in 2026, it rang truer than ever.
The race brought pain, dust, pressure, and decisions made on instinct. Luciano Benavides, coming back from injury, faced it all with focus and determination. Stage after stage, he gave everything, racing with intent, staying true to his rhythm, and trusting his own way forward. He came to fight, and he never held back. In 2026,Fasterlived up to his name.
Ricky Brabec didn’t hand anything over easily. His strategy on Stage 11 showed experience and nerve. He set himself up to win, and with one day to go, the rally looked his to lose.
But in Dakar, anything can happen.
At kilometer 98.4 of the final stage, Brabec veered off course for just a few moments. Benavides crossed the line two seconds faster, and this time, “Faster” meant everything. Enough to rewrite the ending.
It was the closest finish in Dakar history.
Not destiny. Not chaos.
Just racing at the edge, until the very last meter.
This is Dakar, men.
And this one, we’ll remember for a long time.
DAKAR 2026 – PROLOGUE
1005 MERINO Esther (esp), Articleopard Galicia Team, Arctic Leopard, M1000 – Bike, action during the Prologue of the Dakar 2026, on January 3, 2026 around Yanbu, Saudi Arabia
DAKAR 2026 – STAGE 1
01 SANDERS Daniel (aus), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, KTM, Rally GP, FIM W2RC, action during the Stage 1 of the Dakar 2026, on January 4, 2026 around Yanbu, Saudi Arabia
DAKAR 2026 – STAGE 1
15 SANTOLINO Lorenzo (esp), Sherco Rally Factory, Sherco, Rally GP, action during the Stage 1 of the Dakar 2026, on January 4, 2026 around Yanbu, Saudi Arabia
DAKAR 2026 – STAGE 1
56 MIN Zhang (esp), Joyride Race Service, KTM, Rallye 2, FIM W2RC, action during the Stage 1 of the Dakar 2026, on January 4, 2026 around Yanbu, Saudi Arabia
DAKAR 2026 – STAGE 2
01 SANDERS Daniel (aus), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, KTM, Rally GP, FIM W2RC, action during the Stage 2 of the Dakar 2026, on January 5, 2026 between Yanbu and Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia
DAKAR 2026 – STAGE 2
68 SCHAREINA Tosha (esp), Monster Energy Honda HRC, Honda, Rally GP, FIM W2RC, action during the Stage 2 of the Dakar 2026, on January 5, 2026 between Yanbu and Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia
DAKAR 2026 – STAGE 3
68 SCHAREINA Tosha (esp), Monster Energy Honda HRC, Honda, Rally GP, FIM W2RC, action during the Stage 3 of the Dakar 2026, on January 6, 2026 around Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia
DAKAR 2026 – STAGE 4
Bivouac refuge during the Stage 4 of the Dakar 2026, on January 7, 2026 between Al-Ula and Bivouac Refuge, Saudi Arabia
DAKAR 2026 – STAGE 6
73 CANET Edgar (esp), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, KTM, Rally GP, FIM W2RC, action during the Stage 6 of the Dakar 2026, on January 9, 2026 between Haïl and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
DAKAR 2026 – STAGE 6
77 BENAVIDES Luciano (arg), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, KTM, Rally GP, FIM W2RC, action during the Stage 6 of the Dakar 2026, on January 9, 2026 between Haïl and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
DAKAR 2026 – STAGE 5
139 BOUZIGON Romain (fra), Esprit KTM, KTM, Rallye 2, FIM W2RC, action during the Stage 5 of the Dakar 2026, on January 8, 2026 between Bivouac Refuge and Haïl, Saudi Arabia
DAKAR 2026 – STAGE 6
77 BENAVIDES Luciano (arg), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, KTM, Rally GP, FIM W2RC, action during the Stage 6 of the Dakar 2026, on January 9, 2026 between Haïl and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
DAKAR 2026 – STAGE 8
BENAVIDES Luciano (arg), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, KTM, Rally GP, FIM W2RC, portrait during the Stage 8 of the Dakar 2026, on January 12, 2026 around Wadi Ad-Dawasir, Saudi Arabia
DAKAR 2026 – STAGE 8
104 MOREAU Rémy (fra), Team Nomade Racing, KTM, Rallye 2, FIM W2RC, action during the Stage 8 of the Dakar 2026, on January 12, 2026 around Wadi Ad-Dawasir, Saudi Arabia
BTA17-Dakar26-041
DAKAR 2026 – STAGE 9
137 TROQUIER Mathieu (fra), 22 Tout Terrain, KTM, Rallye 2, FIM W2RC, 18 DRDAJ Dusan (cze), Cajdasrot, KTM, Rallye 2, FIM W2RC, action during the Stage 9 of the Dakar 2026, on January 13, 2026 between Wadi Ad-Dawasir and Bivouac Refuge, Saudi Arabia
DAKAR 2026 – STAGE 12
120 CAUVIN Matthieu (fra), Team Nomade Racing, KTM, Rallye 2, FIM W2RC, 203 QUINTERO Seth (usa), SHORT Andrew (usa), Toyota Gazoo Racing W2RC, Toyota, Ultimate, FIA W2RC, during the Stage 12 of the Dakar 2026, on January 16, 2026 between Al Henakiyah and Yanbu, Saudi Arabia
DAKAR 2026 – STAGE 12
39 MELOT Benjamin (fra), Esprit KTM, KTM, Rallye 2, FIM W2RC, action during the Stage 12 of the Dakar 2026, on January 16, 2026 between Al Henakiyah and Yanbu, Saudi Arabia
DAKAR 2026 – STAGE 12
09 BRABEC Ricky (usa), Monster Energy Honda HRC, Honda, Rally GP, FIM W2RC, action during the Stage 12 of the Dakar 2026, on January 16, 2026 between Al Henakiyah and Yanbu, Saudi Arabia
Words by: Mike de la Torre – Photo Credits: A.S.O./Charly López, F.Gooden, Jennifer Lindini, F.Le Floc’h, A.Vincent, DPPI
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