Dakar Rally 2026 Concludes
Luciano Benavides secured victory in the Dakar Rally by a margin of two seconds, completing 13 days of competition across Saudi Arabia. Benavides finished second on the final stage behind teammate Edgar Canet.
Ricky Brabec, who held a 3-minute, 20-second advantage entering the final stage, encountered a navigation error seven kilometers from the finish. This error resulted in him placing ninth on the stage and losing the overall lead.
Rider Performances
Daniel Sanders completed the final 108-kilometer stage in 23rd place, securing a top-five overall finish despite sustaining a broken collarbone and sternum in Stage 10. He rode through pain during the final three stages. Sanders expressed satisfaction for his team's success.
Benavides achieved his first Dakar Rally victory on his ninth attempt, securing three stage wins during the event.
Team and Historical Context
The victory extended KTM's dominance in the rally, marking their 21st overall win. Luciano Benavides's win means both Benavides brothers have now triumphed at Dakar, following Kevin Benavides's titles in 2021 and 2023.
Brabec's late misstep prevented him from securing a third Dakar crown and denied Honda their ninth victory in the event.
Statements
Sanders commented on the unpredictable nature of Dakar, stating, "I’m really happy for the team, and that’s just Dakar – it’s never over until it’s over. Every day is different and anything can happen." He added, "Unfortunately, I was unlucky in my own race and out of the fight for the win, but the result is still in the team, and that’s something special."
Benavides described his victory as a dream, saying, "I still can’t believe it. I never stopped dreaming. I woke up today full of energy and motivation, just thinking about what I could do and trusting in myself, and that was the key for this Dakar." He noted the close finish, "To win by just two seconds is unbelievable. I even missed the last two corners and nearly crashed, so it was right on the limit, but it paid off."
Red Bull KTM Rally Manager Andreas Hölzl praised the team's persistence. He stated, "We fought right until the very last metre and never gave up, and that was the key." Hölzl commended Benavides's performance, calling it "the best race of his career," and recognized Sanders as the team’s "real survivor."
Upcoming Event
Sanders plans to compete in the next round of the World Rally-Raid Championship in Portugal, scheduled for March 17–22.