The seventh edition of the Dakar Rally Saudi Arabia 2026, the world's premier motorsport event, kicked off today, organized by the Saudi Arabian Motor Federation and overseen by the Ministry of Sport. The prologue stage launched the rally in Yanbu province, amidst great global anticipation for this race, considered the toughest and most prestigious in the world.
The importance of the event and the Kingdom's standing in motorsports
Since the Dakar Rally moved to Saudi Arabia in 2020, the Kingdom has transformed into a global capital of desert rallying. Hosting the 2026 edition for the seventh consecutive time underscores the success of the strategic partnership and international confidence in the Kingdom's organizational capabilities. The event's impact extends beyond the sporting arena, encompassing tourism and economic dimensions that align with Saudi Vision 2030. The rally showcases the Kingdom's stunning natural landscapes and unique geographical diversity, from the Red Sea coast to the golden sand dunes, further solidifying its position as a leading global tourist destination.
Details of the preliminary phase in Yanbu
Today's preliminary stage featured a short, intensive route in Yanbu province, covering a total distance of 95 kilometers, of which 22 kilometers were designated as a timed special stage. This stage primarily aimed to test the readiness of the competitors and vehicles, as well as to determine the starting order for the longer stages to come. A large contingent of 787 drivers and navigators participated in this opening round, distributed across seven main categories: cars, motorcycles, Challengers, SSVs, and trucks, in addition to a notable 97 vehicles competing in the Dakar Classic and Mission 1000 categories.
Results for the Swedish car and control category
The preliminary stage results showed fierce competition, with Swedish driver Mattias Ekström of Ford Racing topping the car category with a time of 10 minutes, 48.7 seconds. Ekström's lead was a mere 8 seconds over his teammate, American Mitch Guthrie Jr., while Belgian driver Guillaume de Mevius of X-raid finished third, also with a 8-second gap.
In the Stock car category, the Defender Rally team secured the top three positions, with American Sarah Price taking first place with a time of 12 minutes and 3 seconds, followed by French legend Stephane Peterhansel in second place, and Lithuanian Rokas Paczewska in third.
Motorcycles and desert vehicles shine
In the motorcycle category, Spaniard Edgar Canet (Red Bull KTM) snatched the lead with a time of 11 minutes and 31 seconds, just 3 seconds ahead of Australian Daniel Sanders. In the Challenger category, Dutchman Paul Spearings took first place, while this category also witnessed a remarkable Saudi achievement with champion Dania Aqeel finishing third, 13 seconds behind the leader, reflecting the growing Saudi participation in international competitions.
In the SSV category, American Brock Heeger topped the standings, while Dutchman Mitchell van den Brink dominated the truck category with a time of 13 minutes and 5 seconds.
The first phase will begin tomorrow
All eyes will be on Sunday, January 4, 2026, as the grueling competition kicks off with the first stage of the rally. The route will be a circuit stage starting and returning to Yanbu, covering a total distance of 518 kilometers, including a 305-kilometer timed special stage, where competitors will begin to face the true challenges of the Kingdom's terrain.
