The 2026 Dakar Rally has kept us on the edge of our seat for two full weeks. Leaders have come and gone as the convoy races an 8,000-kilometre Saudi Arabian loop loaded with hazards. Just one final stage now separates those brave competitors still standing from the finish line in Yanbu. Whether it’s gunning for an overall podium or just the glory of finishing the world’s toughest race, one final push is required to get the job done.
Nasser Al-Attiyah grabbed the chance on the rally’s penultimate stage to fully exert his authority on the rally. The Qatari drove his Dacia Sandrider to the 50th stage win of his illustrious Ultimate class career at the Dakar. Al-Attiyah joins fellow Dakar legends Ari Vatanen and Stéphane Peterhansel on half a century of stage wins in the Dakar’s elite car category. The Olympic bronze medalist currently enjoys a cushion of over 15 minutes at the top of the leaderboard and can seal his sixth Dakar title on tomorrow’s 105-kilometre loop stage around the Yanbu bivouac.
« We’re so happy to win the stage and to have a good lead. We’ve been on an amazing run from the beginning and struck the right balance between pushing and maintaining control. The whole team has been working so well together. » – Nasser Al-Attiyah
Nani Roma has been pushing Al-Attiyah across the deserts of Saudi Arabia for the past fortnight. However, the Dakar took a big bite out of Roma’s charge towards a third title on Stage 12. A big impact just 50 metres from the finish saw the Spaniard cross the line on three wheels after breaking his front axle. The drama didn’t end there for the Ford Raptor T1+ driver.
« This has been the toughest day in my career. I don’t believe in miracles, but today maybe yes, because it’s been so crazy. Seven kilometres from the bivouac I ran out of petrol. It was incredible that just then Laia Sanz passed me. She gave me a tow the rest of the way. Normally it would be impossible that I could arrive back at the bivouac. I apologise to my team for my mistake. I’m hoping for an easy day tomorrow. » – Nani Roma
While Roma maintains second place overall, the battle for the last remaining podium spot could hardly be tighter. It’s currently advantage Mattias Ekström of Ford M-Sport, but the gap to Dacia’s Sébastien Loeb is just 29 seconds. Will the Swede make it back-to-back Dakar third place finishes or will the Frenchman score his sixth podium result at the world’s toughest race? All will be revealed on the final stage of the 2026 Dakar Rally tomorrow.
« We’re still trying our best on every stage. I love this sport and the best training to become a Dakar champion is to take every day seriously. » – Mattias Ekström
Enjoying some rare clean air on Stage 12 was biker turned Ultimate class driver Toby Price. The Australian opened up his Toyota Hilux to clock his first podium result of this Dakar. It was enough to make the two-time Bike race winner reevaluate his tactics for his next shot on four wheels.
« I should have started the rally like this! I haven’t had a really good day once these last two weeks so I just wanted to put one in today. We took more risks than we’d normally do in the stones and things worked out. » – Toby Price
Third place on Stage 12 lifts Price to eighth overall in the Ultimate class, one spot above his Toyota Gazoo Racing team-mate Seth Quintero who has also slotted into the Top 10.
The final day mission for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing biker Luciano Benavides could not be clearer. If the Argentinian rider is going to win his first Dakar he needs to reel in the Honda of Ricky Brabec on the 13th and final stage of the rally. Brabec will be the first biker on the road tomorrow, followed out by Benavides. The gap between the leading duo stands at 3m20s with 105 kilometres still to race.
« It was a tough day and I tried my best. It wasn’t an easy stage to open so we gave away a bit of time. I’m happy that I gave 100 percent. Of course we keep the hope alive until the last kilometre. » – Luciano Benavides
Remarkably Daniel Sanders is still racing despite injuring his collarbone and sternum during a heavy crash on Stage 10. The Australian rode through the pain barrier to complete Stage 12, showing the kind of grit and determination that only the Dakar Rally can demand.
« This is torture. It’s so hard riding with one arm! I had one crash and tried not to land on my left side because it’s already so damaged. My right side is now really sore because I’m overcompensating. I’ll be very happy when I see that finish line. » – Daniel Sanders
Rokas Baciuška agonisingly missed out on winning the Dakar’s SSV class in 2023 due to mechanical failure on the final stage while leading the race. Therefore, the Lithuanian is taking nothing for granted this year despite driving his Defender Dakar D7X‑R to a four-hour lead in the Stock class. Baciuška has already learnt from bitter experience, the Dakar’s not done until the Dakar’s done.
« We were told to expect 23 percent stones on today’s stage, but I think it was 83 percent! The car is working well and now we only have one stage left to drive. Let’s bring the Defender to the finish line. » – Rokas Baciuška
Stage 12 in the Challenger class boiled down to a contest between two Taurus T3 Max drivers, Kevin Benavides and Dania Akeel. Dania was narrowly denied once again while chasing her first stage win of this Dakar as her BBR team-mate Benavides tapped into the ‘aura’ of Yanbu.
« I really enjoyed Stage 12, it was a proper Dakar stage with a mix of terrain. There were so many stones. Only 10km before the end we had a puncture so we could have been even faster. This was place where I won my first Dakar so I felt that aura while I drove. » – Kevin Benavides
Here’s an off-road racing fact: Johan Kristoffersson had only rolled once since starting to race professionally in 2008. That statistic has changed now the Swede has taken on his debut Dakar in the SSV class. The eight-time World Rallycross champion got a double dose of bad luck in the dunes on a stage he was leading up until the refuel. The rookie has stood up to everything this Dakar has thrown at him – including another roll on the Prologue – and is on course for a hard-earned Dakar finisher’s medal tomorrow.
« After today’s fuel stop we hit a bump that I broke for and directly after the bump there was a small mountain on the right side. We were only going 15kph, caught the bank and tipped over. We got the car back on its wheels within a couple of minutes. Then I was trying to carry some speed through the short, sharp dunes. We bottomed out, rolled and the car was on its side again. Some locals helped us to put the car back on its wheels and finally we got to the finish. » – Johan Kristoffersson
Tomorrow we’ll see the 13th and final stage of the 48th Dakar Rally play out. 50 weeks of preparation plus two weeks of racing have led to this point, standing on the cusp of completing the world’s toughest race. Before any celebrations can begin there’s more mountain tracks to be navigated. Then it’s a final spectacular sprint along the coastline of the Red Sea. The 2026 Dakar Rally will finish at the Yanbu bivouac, giving every competitor the chance to share this remarkable achievement with their support crews.
2026 Dakar Rally Stage 12 results
ULTIMATE – Top 3 plus selected
1. N. Al-Attiyah (QAT) / F. Lurquin (BEL) – Dacia 03:21:52
2. M. Guthrie Jr. (USA) / K. Walch (USA) – Ford +01:04
3. T. Price (AUS) / A. Monleón (ESP) – Toyota +01:25
4. M. Ekström (SWE) / E. Bergvist (SWE) – Ford +01:49…
7. S. Loeb (FRA) / É. Boulanger (FRA) – Dacia +05:13
8. N. Roma (ESP) / A. Haro (ESP) – Ford +06:22
9. H. Lategan (ZAF) / B. Cummings (ZAF) – Toyota +07:33
10. C. Sainz (ESP) / L. Cruz (ESP) – Ford +07:45
11. S. Quintero (USA) / A. Short (USA) – Toyota +09:07
12. C. Gutiérrez (ESP) / P. Moreno (ESP) – Dacia +09:33…
16. L. Moraes (BRA) / D. Zenz (GER) – Dacia +16:34…
18. L. Sanz (ESP) / M. Gerini (ITA) – Ebro +20:56…
39. G. De Mévius (BEL) / M. Baumel (FRA) – MINI +46:15…
BIKE RallyGP – Top 3 plus selected
1. R. Brabec (USA) – Honda 03:19:01
2. L. Benavides (ARG) – KTM +03:43
3. T. Schareina (ESP) – Honda +12:58…
11. E. Canet (ESP) – KTM +27:43…
15. D. Sanders (AUS) – KTM +35:22…
STOCK – Top 3
1. S. Price (USA) S. Berriman (USA) / – Defender 04:17:35
2. S. Peterhansel (FRA) / M. Metge (FRA) – Defender +01:25
3. R. Baciuška (LTU) / O. Vidal (ESP) – Defender +02:10…
CHALLENGER – Top 3
1. K. Benavides (ARG) / L. Sisterna (ARG) – Taurus 03:44:52
2. D. Akeel (KSA) / S. Delaunay (FRA) – Taurus +02:15
3. D. Zille (AR) / S. Cesana (ARG) – Taurus +03:37…
SSV – Top 3 plus selected
1. J. Gonzalez Ferioli (ARG) / G. Rinaldi (ARG) – Can-Am 03:51:36
2. J. Monteiro (POR) / N. Morais (POR) – Can-Am +06:55
3. H. Miller (USA) / J. Gray (USA) – Taurus +07:39…
10. J. Krisstoffersson (SWE) / O. Floene (NOR) – Polaris +48:01…
15. F. López (CHI) / A. León (CHI) – Can-Am +01:16:10…
Dakar Rally standings after Stage 12
ULTIMATE – Top 5
1. N. Al-Attiyah (QAT) / F. Lurquin (BEL) – Dacia 48:01:51
2. N. Roma (ESP) / A. Haro (ESP) – Ford +16:02
3. M. Ekström (SWE) / E. Bergvist (SWE) – Ford +23:21
4. S. Loeb (FRA) / É. Boulanger (FRA) – Dacia +23:50
5. C. Sainz (ESP) / L. Cruz (ESP) – Ford +36:33…
BIKE RallyGP – Top 5
1. R. Brabec (USA) – Honda 48:08:12
2. L. Benavides (ARG) – KTM +03:20
3. T. Schareina (ESP) – Honda +27:51
4. S. Howes (USA) – Honda +58:21
5. D. Sanders (AUS) – KTM +58:31…
STOCK – Top 5
1. R. Baciuška (LTU) / O. Vidal (ESP) – Defender 57:13:54
2. S. Price (USA) S. Berriman (USA) / – Defender +03:56:59
3. R. Basso (FRA) / J Menard (FRA) – Toyota +08:29:53
4. S. Peterhansel (FRA) / M. Metge (FRA) – Defender +38:15:38
5. A. Miura (JPN) / J. Polato (FRA) – Toyota +87:37:20
CHALLENGER – Top 5
1. P. Navarro (ESP) / J. Rosa (ESP) – Taurus 53:49:52
2. Y. Seaidan (KSA) / X. Flick (FRA) – Taurus +25:53
3. N. Cavigliasso (ARG) / V. Pertegarini (ARG) – Taurus +37:45
4. L. Del Rio (CHI) / B. Jacomy (ARG) – Taurus +39:53
5. P. Klaassen (NED) / A. Sanz (ARG) – KTM +54:47
SSV – Top 5
1. B. Heger (USA) / M.Eddy (USA) – Polaris 54:14:13
2. K. Chaney (USA) / J. Argubright (USA) – Can-Am +01:03:46
3. X. De Soultrait (FRA) / M. Bonnet (FRA) – Polaris +01:24:25
4. J. Monteiro (POR) / N. Morais (POR) – Can-Am +02:29:59
5. J. Gonzalez Ferioli (ARG) / G. Rinaldi (ARG) – Can-Am +02:52:58…
QUOTES
Nasser Al-Attiyah: « We were in a good position today so we decided to push a little bit, not crazy. We had no punctures and no mistakes in the navigation. We’re so happy to win the stage and to have a good lead. We’ve been on an amazing run from the beginning and struck the right balance between pushing and maintaining control. The whole team has been working so well together. »
Nani Roma: « This has been the toughest day in my career. I don’t believe in miracles, but today maybe yes, because it’s been so crazy. 50 metres from the end I made a mistake. I lost focus and lost the track on a left-right turn. I hit a big hole and broke everything. Romain Dumas and Martin Prokop stopped to help me out. Without their help I wouldn’t have finished. Then seven kilometres from the bivouac I ran out of petrol. It was incredible that just then Laia Sanz passed me. She gave me a tow the rest of the way. Normally it would be impossible that I could arrive back at the bivouac. Many things had to happen to help me. I apologise to my team for my mistake. It’s maybe the only mistake I’ve made during this entire Dakar. I’m hoping for an easy day tomorrow. »
Sébastien Loeb: « It was a complicated day on a very rough stage. I picked up one puncture quite early. Then close to the finish we got a second puncture when we drove over some very big stones. »
Mattias Ekström: « We had a good stage. I was impressed with my co-driver Emil because I wanted to push even though we had no marks to follow. Emil navigated really well today. The car was also working really good. We’re still trying our best on every stage. I love this sport and the best training to become a Dakar champion is to take every day seriously. »
Carlos Sainz: « It was an interesting stage. Lots of stones so the risk of getting a puncture was high. I have no idea how the times are behind us, but we felt quite fast today. »
Mitch Guthrie Jr.: « We pushed hard today because we want another stage win. We were fighting dust all day. There’s a lot of people here who don’t move over. This ended up costing us time. We’ve had our ups and downs at this Dakar. I know we have the pace to be right there. »
Toby Price: « I should have started the rally like this! I haven’t had a really good day once these last two weeks so I just wanted to put one in today. We took more risks than we’d normally do in the stones and things worked out. »
Lucas Moraes: « Today we were just surviving. We got our first puncture after 80km. The second puncture was really weird because we were going so slow. We still had 90km to go until the end of the stage so we had to nurse the car to the finish. It was a very tricky stage for us. »
Henk Lategan: « Yesterday was a disaster and the end of our competitive Dakar. We don’t know if the wheel bearing or the driveshaft went first, but either way one made the other one fail. We tried to carry on with only three wheels, but there were too many stones and it wasn’t possible. Today was a really nice stage, but we started at the back so we caught so much dust. »
Seth Quintero: « We got one puncture right at the end. Overall, it wasn’t a bad day or a good day. We wanted to push today and that was never going to be easy because we started up front. Since we had our big issue in week one we’ve been targeting the Top 10. »
Cristina Gutiérrez: « We took care in the rocks because it was possible to get a puncture. We wanted to have all of our spare tyres in case Nasser needed one. I’m quite happy with my Dakar and we want to celebrate an overall win with our Dacia team at the finish line. »
Laia Sanz: « It was a short stage, but tough and a lot more stony than I expected. We had a puncture at the beginning and this made us slow down a lot. I think it was a smart move for the overall because a big mistake would make us lose our position. We’ve had some good stages at this Dakar and we know what we need to improve for next year. »
Guillaume De Mévius: « Halfway into the stage we lost power steering so we had to finish like this. It was a really narrow stage with a lot of rocks so that made things tricky. Tomorrow we’ll drive the final stage. It’s not the way we wanted our Dakar to go. But there’s also good things happening, tomorrow is the birthday of Mathieu and his family have arrived here to celebrate with us. I think with Mathieu with shown something important at this Dakar and he’s done a great job. »
Luciano Benavides: « It was a tough day and I tried my best. I was pushing from the beginning and got past Edgar quite early. From kilometre 150 I was opening the stage. It wasn’t an easy stage to open so we gave away a bit of time. I’m happy that I gave 100 percent. Of course we keep the hope alive until the last kilometre. »
Edgar Canet: « In the first part I got lost for a little bit and then Luciano passed me. I’m happy to make it to the end of this tough stage. Now we just have one more stage in front of us to finish this Dakar. I’ve learned more at this Dakar than in the previous two years that I’ve been riding rallies. »
Daniel Sanders: « This is torture. It’s so hard riding with one arm! Everything was worse than yesterday. The terrain was more demanding with a lot of loose rocks and riverbeds. Really difficult, technical stuff. I had one crash and tried not to land on my left side because it’s already so damaged. My right side is now really sore because I’m overcompensating so much on that side. We just had to make it to the finish line. I don’t really care about times or anything like that. Now we’ve just one day to go. I’ll be very happy when I see that finish line. I’ll do anything it takes to get a result for this team. »
Rokas Baciuška: « We were told to expect 23 percent stones on today’s stage, but I think it was 83 percent! The car is working well and now we only have one stage left to drive. Let’s bring the Defender to the finish line. »
Stéphane Peterhansel: « The stage was only 310 kilometres, but it was a lot of rocks and it wasn’t easy to hit top speed. For us, we took it super easy because it was very demanding on the tyres. We managed well with no punctures at all despite spending time in the dust. »
Kevin Benavides: « I really enjoyed Stage 12, it was a proper Dakar stage with a mix of terrain. There were so many stones. Only 10km before the end we had a puncture so we could have been even faster. This was place where I won my first Dakar so I felt that aura while I drove. »
Dania Akeel: « It was WRC style driving at the start. I leant the car too much on one side going through a corner and I thought I’d got away with it, but I didn’t. We got a puncture there. Even so I think we might have finished second behind Kevin. It was a diverse stage with sand and rocks, a really good challenge. »
Johan Kristoffersson: « Before I arrived to Dakar I’d only rolled once since 2008 doing all kinds of different races. On the Prologue I misjudged the situation and that was a stupid roll. Since then we’ve been fighting our way up the field. We’ve been close to getting a stage win. After today’s fuel stop we hit a bump that I broke for and directly after the bump there was a small mountain on the right side. We were only going 15kph, caught the bank and tipped over. We got the car back on its wheels within a couple of minutes. Then I was trying to carry some speed through the short, sharp dunes. We bottomed out, rolled and the car was on its side again. Some locals helped us to put the car back on its wheel and finally we got to the finish. »
Christine Fial,