The Dakar Rally’s first-ever Marathon-Refuge Stage has wrapped up after forcing the convoy to fend for themselves in the desert for 48 hours. Competitors were reunited with their service teams in the Ha’il bivouac at the conclusion of the fifth stage of 13. Race vehicles will be worked on overnight before heading out to race towards Riyadh tomorrow and the promise of a well-deserved Rest Day on Saturday.
There’s few who have earned a day off at the Dakar more than Red Bull KTM Factory Racing biker Luciano Benavides. A heavy crash in Morocco just months before the Dakar put his participation in serious jeopardy. Benavides underwent an intense rehab program to fix knee and shoulder injuries ahead of his latest trip to Saudi Arabia. The Argentinian biker proved his fitness on Stage 5, giving it full gas to set a faster time than all of his two-wheeled rivals.
« I had a high-speed crash on this stage, but luckily nothing was broken! When I lost the front wheel I thought my Dakar was over. It was a crazy moment. After that I pushed all day and I think I won the stage. I’m super proud because I was not even sure if I’d be able to race this Dakar. I’m emotional because I suffered a lot to be here. » – Luciano Benavides
Benavides’s remarkable Stage 5 performance lifts him to third overall in the bike race rankings, less than six minutes behind KTM team-mate Daniel ‘Chucky’ Sanders. The Australian is once again the top ranked rider at the Dakar as we edge closer to the midway point of the race.
« This was a marathon stage where you had to really manage the bike and tyres. The crack in my tyre was getting bigger today so it was important not to destroy it. I just made sure I brought the bike to the finish of the stage. » – Daniel Sanders
It was a tough day at the Dakar for Edgar Canet, the third Red Bull KTM Factory Racing biker. Canet suffered a rear tyre blowout while riding over the rocks and the 20-year-old ended up losing over two hours on Stage 5.
Henk Lategan obviously enjoyed his night under the desert stars, camping out in a competitors only bivouac last night away from the pit crews. After winning Stage 4, it was up to Lategan and co-driver Brett Cummings to open the road. The job was further complicated by weather conditions, but the South African duo stuck to their task and kept a Gazoo Racing Toyota Hilux in top spot overall after a masterful drive.
« This was one of the most difficult Dakar stages I’ve ever driven. There were no bike tracks and the rain had washed away a lot of the road. It’s an amazing job by the team to give us a car that could really go for it during two marathon days. » – Henk Lategan
Joining Lategan on the overall Ultimate class podium after driving 2,700 kilometres are Nasser Al-Attiyah and Mattias Ekström. The stage is set for a battle to the end between three mighty Dakar machines: Toyota Hilux, Dacia Sandrider and Ford Raptor. Five-time Dakar winner Al-Attiyah is enjoying the close contest so far.
« From the beginning of the stage we tried to manage without making any mistakes, without getting a puncture. We did a good job and did well to stay just behind Henk. » – Nasser Al-Attiyah
It was Ekström’s Ford M-Sport team-mate Mitch Guthrie Jr. who took the stage win, his second of this Dakar. The all-American crew of Guthrie Jr. and co-driver Kellon Walch are proud to fly the stars and stripes for Ford at the sharp end of the Ultimate class rankings.
« I’m super proud of the team, that’s two stage wins now. Our truck has been amazing and I think we’re in a good spot. We’re still in this fight. » – Mitch Guthrie Jr.
Carlos Sainz is also behind the wheel of a Ford Raptor that’s well involved in the fight for the lead. El Matador explained that sometimes at the Dakar you don’t have to set the day’s fastest time to feel victorious.
« Today feels like a victory for me. Yesterday I had a problem and today another issue near the end of the stage. Arriving at the finish of this marathon stage makes me so happy. » – Carlos Sainz
In the Stock class there was another stage win to celebrate for Defender Dakar D7X‑R driver Rokas Baciuška. The Lithuanian was on a trouble-shooting mission during the two-day Marathon-Refuge Stage and was looking forward to meeting back up with his team in the Ha’il bivouac. After Stage 5, Baciuška has a cushion of 45 minutes at the top of the overall Stock rankings from team-mate Stéphane Peterhansel.
« Yesterday we had a small problem that we could fix at the marathon bivouac. You need to take care of your car on the marathon stage because there is no service. Now we’re heading back to the team and the first thing I’m looking forward to is having a shower. » – Rokas Baciuška
Dania Akeel narrowly missed out on the second Dakar stage win of her off-racing career. The Saudi Arabian driver backed up yesterday’s impressive performance to finish less than half a minute behind the fastest Challenger crew on Stage 5.
« The last two days have been nice. Yesterday we finished third in our category and on the podium again today. Sébastien did a great job with the navigation. We missed two or three turns in the dust, but overall it was a very clean stage for us. The car was a lot of fun to drive. » – Dania Akeel
Francisco ‘Chaleco’ López, a two-time winner of the Dakar’s SSV category, made a return to the podium on Stage 5. A runner-up result on the 372-kilometre timed special stage to Ha’il has given the Chilean renewed hope he can attack the overall SSV podium in the second week of this Dakar.
« Yesterday was a really complicated day for us, we had three punctures. Today was much better. Overall, it’s been a tough first week at this Dakar for us. » – Francisco ‘Chaleco’ López
The first week of the 2026 Dakar Rally ends with a bang tomorrow. The convoy will take on one of the longest-ever stages to be hosted since the relocation to Saudi Arabia. It’ll be an early start for everyone with close to 1,000 kilometres to cover between Ha’il and Riyadh. But it’s not just the eye-watering distance that makes this a tough day. The majority of the timed special stage takes place in the Qassim Province, famous for its sand dunes that stretch to the horizon in every direction. Congratulations to all competitors who arrive to Riyadh for the Rest Day, they have definitely earned it the hard way!
2026 Dakar Rally Stage 5 results
ULTIMATE – Top 3 plus selected
1. M. Guthrie Jr. (USA) / K. Walch (USA) – Ford 03:54:46
2. N. Roma (ESP) / A. Haro (ESP) – Ford +01:06
3. M. Prokop (CZE) / V. Chytka (CZE) – Ford +02:14
4. L. Moraes (BRA) / D. Zenz (GER) – Dacia +03:38…
6. M. Ekström (SWE) / E. Bergvist (SWE) – Ford +05:21
7. C. Sainz (ESP) / L. Cruz (ESP) – Ford +05:23…
11. S. Quintero (USA) / A. Short (USA) – Toyota +09:08
12. S. Loeb (FRA) / É. Boulanger (FRA) – Dacia +10:41…
14. C. Gutiérrez (ESP) / P. Moreno (ESP) – Dacia +11:24…
16. N. Al-Attiyah (QAT) / F. Lurquin (BEL) – Dacia +12:05
17. H. Lategan (ZAF) / B. Cummings (ZAF) – Toyota +12:43…
20. L. Sanz (ESP) / M. Gerini (ITA) – Ebro +16:49…
26. T. Price (AUS) / A. Monleón (ESP) – Toyota +20:00…
36. G. De Mévius (BEL) / M. Baumel (FRA) – MINI +41:09…
STOCK – Top 3
1. R. Baciuška (LTU) / O. Vidal (ESP) – Defender 04:29:32
2. S. Peterhansel (FRA) / M. Metge (FRA) – Defender +00:37
3. S. Price (USA) S. Berriman (USA) / – Defender +22:37
BIKE RallyGP – Top 3 plus selected
1. L. Benavides (ARG) – KTM 04:05:16
2. I. Cornejo (CHI) – Hero +03:51
3. D. Sanders (AUS) – KTM +05:50…
11. E. Canet (ESP) – KTM +04:36:15…
CHALLENGER – Top 3 plus selected
1. L. Del Rio (CHI) / B. Jacomy (ARG) – Taurus +04:18:09
2. P. Navarro (ESP) / J. Rosa (ESP) – Taurus +00:24
3. D. Akeel (KSA) / S. Delaunay (FRA) – Taurus +00:28…
9. K. Benavides (ARG) / L. Sisterna (ARG) – Taurus +09:39
SSV – Top 3 plus selected
1. K. Chaney (USA) / J. Argubright (USA) – Can-Am 04:17:22
2. F. López (CHI) / A. León (CHI) – Can-Am +00:51
3. B. Heger (USA) / M.Eddy (USA) – Polaris +03:27…
7. G. Guerreiro (POR) / M. Justo (BRA) – Polaris +07:48…
15. J. Krisstoffersson (SWE) / O. Floene (NOR) – Polaris +27:11…
Dakar Rally standings after Stage 5
ULTIMATE – Top 3 plus selected
1. H. Lategan (ZAF) / B. Cummings (ZAF) – Toyota 20:36:44
2. N. Al-Attiyah (QAT) / F. Lurquin (BEL) – Dacia +03:17
3. M. Ekström (SWE) / E. Bergvist (SWE) – Ford +05:38
4. N. Roma (ESP) / A. Haro (ESP) – Ford +06:59
5. C. Sainz (ESP) / L. Cruz (ESP) – Ford +08:33
6. M. Guthrie Jr. (USA) / K. Walch (USA) – Ford +16:23
7. L. Moraes (BRA) / D. Zenz (GER) – Dacia +17:11
8. S. Loeb (FRA) / É. Boulanger (FRA) – Dacia +17:55…
13. C. Gutiérrez (ESP) / P. Moreno (ESP) – Dacia +23:59…
15. T. Price (AUS) / A. Monleón (ESP) – Toyota +38:00…
17. L. Sanz (ESP) / M. Gerini (ITA) – Ebro +46:12…
21. S. Quintero (USA) / A. Short (USA) – Toyota +01:09:42…
35. G. De Mévius (BEL) / M. Baumel (FRA) – MINI +05:42:26…
STOCK – Top 3
1. R. Baciuška (LTU) / O. Vidal (ESP) – Defender 24:38:09
2. S. Peterhansel (FRA) / M. Metge (FRA) – Defender +44:32
3. S. Price (USA) S. Berriman (USA) / – Defender +02:32:42…
BIKE RallyGP – Top 3 plus selected
1. D. Sanders (AUS) – KTM 20:58:10
2. R. Brabec (USA) – Honda +02:02
3. L. Benavides (ARG) – KTM +05:55…
11. E. Canet (ESP) – KTM +04:40:23…
CHALLENGER – Top 3 plus selected
1. P. Navarro (ESP) / J. Rosa (ESP) – Taurus 22:39:37
2. Y. Seaidan (KSA) / X. Flick (FRA) – Taurus +04:26
3. N. Cavigliasso (ARG) / V. Pertegarini (ARG) – Taurus +08:25…
12. D. Akeel (KSA) / S. Delaunay (FRA) – Taurus +02:19:21…
14. K. Benavides (ARG) / L. Sisterna (ARG) – Taurus +03:45:31…
SSV – Top 3 plus selected
1. B. Heger (USA) / M.Eddy (USA) – Polaris 22:51:24
2. X. De Soultrait (FRA) / M. Bonnet (FRA) – Polaris +37:36
3. K. Chaney (USA) / J. Argubright (USA) – Can-Am +56:27…
6. G. Guerreiro (POR) / M. Justo (BRA) – Polaris +01:18:11
8. F. López (CHI) / A. León (CHI) – Can-Am +01:47:39…
12. J. Krisstoffersson (SWE) / O. Floene (NOR) – Polaris +02:41:51…
QUOTES
Mitch Guthrie Jr.: « I’m super proud of the team, that’s two stage wins now. We lost a lot of time yesterday, there was so much navigation. Today was a lot easier for the guys at the front. Our truck has been amazing and I think we’re in a good spot. We’re still in this fight. »
Henk Lategan: « This was one of the most difficult Dakar stages I’ve ever driven. There were no bike tracks and the rain had washed away a lot of the road. We’ve done well on these last two days. It’s an amazing job by the team to give us a car that could really go for it during two marathon days. »
Nasser Al-Attiyah: « From the beginning of the stage we tried to manage without making any mistakes, without getting a puncture. We did a good job and did well to stay just behind Henk. Navigation was very difficult. This marathon stage is now done and we’re quite happy. »
Sébastien Loeb: « I was quite cautious at the beginning. We didn’t want to get any punctures on this big stage. We ended up closing out the stage strongly by pushing hard towards the finish. »
Mattias Ekström: « We lost some time turning around for one waypoint in the middle. There’s still a long way to go. Yesterday was super difficult and long. Today’s stage was much faster. »
Nani Roma: « It was a stressful marathon stage with a lot of ups and downs. We tried to find the good way and stay on a good rhythm. We’re happy to be at the finish line of the stage and ready for tomorrow. »
Carlos Sainz: « Today feels like a victory for me. Yesterday I had a problem and today I had another issue near the end of the stage. Arriving at the finish of this marathon stage makes me so happy. I’m not worried about my time today. »
Lucas Moraes: The most important thing is to finish the first marathon with the car in one piece. Dennis did a massive job with the navigation. Today we were six cars in a train and we couldn’t get past the guys in front. I think we did the best stage we could and we’ll try again tomorrow. »
Seth Quintero: « Yesterday was a slow day for us. We let the team know that we were there if anybody needed a spare wheel. On the second day we caught up to Toby and he was flying. We sat in behind him and it was a lot of fun going back and forth. We’ve still got eight days of racing to go. »
Toby Price: « We made one early mistake where we lost the route. We also got one flat, but other than that it’s been good. This marathon stage is done and we’ve got another coming up next week. The car’s in good shape and we’ll keep as close to the lead as we can. It’s still all a bit chaotic at the front. I’m looking forward to getting into some dunes. »
Cristina Gutiérrez: « It was not a very clean day. We were in the dust a lot and we got one puncture so we lost some minutes. We’ll bring the car back to the bivouac and repair everything we need to before another long day tomorrow. »
Guillaume De Mévius: « It’s been a tough two days for us. We got some technical issues yesterday. We solved most of the problems, but were still in two-wheel drive. It was tough on the rocks in two-wheel drive. It’s not the first week of the Dakar that we wanted. We’ll try to do some nice times tomorrow and during the second week. »
Daniel Sanders: « This was a marathon stage where you had to really manage the bike and tyres. At the first refuel yesterday I looked at my tyres and could see that it would be a problem. The crack in my tyre was getting bigger today so it was important not to destroy it even more. I just managed the situation as best I could and made sure I brought the bike to the finish of the stage. »
Luciano Benavides: « The pace was really high. I had a high speed crash, but luckily nothing was broken. When I lost the front wheel I thought my Dakar was over. Also, when I was rolling on the ground I was expecting the bike to hit me. It was a crazy moment. After that I pushed all day and I won the stage. I’m super proud because I was not even sure if I’d be able to race this Dakar. To be here now winning stages and fighting for the overall classification gives me a lot of motivation for the next days. I’m emotional because I suffered a lot to be here. Winning a stage is not easy. »
Stéphane Peterhansel: « Today’s stage was a good mixture of fast and rocky sections. For the first time we started to have some hesitations with the navigation. The team spirit with the other Defender drivers is great, we’re all together. Our target is to bring all three cars to the end of the race. »
Rokas Baciuška: « Yesterday we had a small problem that we could fix at the marathon bivouac. You need to take care of your car on the marathon stage because there is no service. Now we’re heading back to the team and the first thing I’m looking forward to is having a shower. »
Dania Akeel: « The last two days have been nice. Yesterday we finished third in our category and on the podium again today. Sébastien did a great job with the navigation. We missed two or three turns in the dust, but overall it was a very clean stage for us. The car was a lot of fun to drive. »
Francisco ‘Chaleco’ López: « Yesterday was a really complicated day for us, we had three punctures. Today was much better. Overall, it’s been a tough first week at this Dakar for us. »