2026 Dakar Rally: Champions Crowned After Epic Battle Across Saudi Arabia

Sebastien Loeb and Edouard Boulanger compete during Stage 10 of the 2026 Dakar Rally between Bivouac Refuge and Bisha, Saudi Arabia, on January 14, 2026. Photographer Credit: Kin Marcin / Red Bull Content Pool.

The 2026 Dakar Rally delivered another breathtaking chapter in the history of the world’s most grueling off-road endurance race. Spanning thousands of kilometers of unforgiving desert, dunes, and rugged terrain across Saudi Arabia, this year’s edition pushed riders, drivers, and machines to their limits — and produced heart-stopping finishes that will be remembered for years.

Edgar Canet of the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing during the Prologue of the Dakar 2026 on January 3, 2026, around Yanbu, Saudi Arabia. Photographer Credit: Kin Marcin / Red Bull Content Pool.

Motorcycle Champion: Luciano Benavides (Argentina)

In one of the closest finishes in Dakar history, Luciano Benavides of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing clinched his first Dakar Rally victory in the motorcycle class by a razor-thin margin of just two seconds. Benavides capitalized on a late navigation error by rival Ricky Brabec on the final stage to snatch the win — a finish that had the rally-raid community on edge until the very end.

Benavides’ triumph was the result of consistent speed, smart navigation, and unrelenting determination across all 13 stages. His victory also continued KTM’s dominance in the Dakar bikes category, marking yet another chapter in the brand’s storied success at the event.

“I still can’t believe it… to win by just two seconds is unbelievable,” Benavides said after the finish.

Toby Price (AUS) and Armand Monleon (ESP) of Toyota Gazoo Racing W2RC race during stage 12 of Rally Dakar 2026 from Al Henakiyah to Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, on January 16, 2026. Photographer Credit: Marcelo Maragni / Red Bull Content Pool.

Car Champion: Nasser Al-Attiyah (Qatar)

In the cars category, rally legend Nasser Al-Attiyah added another remarkable achievement to his legendary career. Driving for Dacia Sandriders with co-driver Fabian Lurquin, Al-Attiyah secured his sixth Dakar Rally title — a milestone that places him among the most successful competitors ever in the sport.

Al-Attiyah’s experience and tactical mastery were on full display throughout the rally, as he consistently built and defended leads across challenging stages. This win further narrows the gap between him and the all-time record held by Stéphane Peterhansel.

Stéphane PETERHANSEL and Michaël METGE are seen during the shakedown of the Dakar 2026 on January 2, 2026, Yanbu, Saudi Arabia. Photographer Credit: Kin Marcin / Red Bull Content Pool.

Stéphane PETERHANSEL and Michaël METGE of the Defender Dakar D7X-R during the Prologue of the Dakar 2026 on January 3, 2026, around Yanbu, Saudi Arabia. Photographer Credit: Kin Marcin / Red Bull Content Pool.

Other Category Winners

The 2026 Dakar Rally wasn’t just about bikes and cars — competitors in every class battled the terrain and each other for triumph:

Truck: Vaidotas Žala demonstrated incredible skill to take top honors in the trucks category.
SSV (Side-by-Side Vehicles): American rocker Rock Heger claimed victory in this fiercely competitive division.
Original by Motul / Classic / Challenger / Mission 1000: Winners in these specialized classes showcased the diverse talent and spirit of Dakar competitors.

Mattias Ekstrom and Emil Bergkvist of the Ford M-Sport Team during the Prologue of the Dakar 2026 on January 3, 2026, around Yanbu, Saudi Arabia. Photographer Credit: Kin Marcin / Red Bull Content Pool.

Carlos Sainz and Lucas Cruz compete during Stage 10 of the 2026 Dakar Rally between Bivouac Refuge and Bisha, Saudi Arabia, on January 14, 2026. Photographer Credit: Kin Marcin / Red Bull Content Pool.

A Rally to Remember

From grueling marathon stages to technical navigation tests and breath-taking final-stage drama, the 2026 Dakar Rally once again proved why it stands at the pinnacle of rally-raid competition. It was a race where every kilometer mattered, where champions were forged in shifting sands and searing heat — and where legends both new and established etched their names deeper into Dakar lore.

“Whether you’re a die-hard motorsport fan or new to the Dakar story, this year’s finish was a thrilling reminder of what makes this event one of the most challenging and compelling spectacles in all of motorsport.”