After a prologue with limited stakes, the Dakar 2026 truly kicked off with a thrilling first stage of over 500 km around Yanbu. On the agenda, 305 km of special stage where the drivers had to navigate through varied terrains, mixing narrow passages and sandy sections, resulting in an unexpected outcome that shook the favourites.
A lively first stage
The Dakar is a bit like a big party where friends gather to get their adrenaline thrills, and Mattias Ekström would certainly agree. Winner of the prologue, the Swede immediately made his mark by taking the lead in the race in his Ford Raptor, smoothly passing through the checkpoints. However, the end of the stage held some surprises, including a 10-second penalty for speeding that hampered his ambitions.
But the true revelation of the day was Guillaume de Mévius. Behind the wheel of his Mini, he managed to pip Nasser Al-Attiyah at the post, thus becoming the unexpected hero of this first stage. With a 40-second lead over the Qatari, he demonstrated that strategy and precision can sometimes surpass the brute power of machines.
In the background, a battle also unfolded among the Ford drivers, with a tight-knit group of Prokop-Ekström-Sainz finishing just seconds apart, while a Toyota, that of Erik Goczal, managed to slot in between them.
Sébastien Loeb, for his part, had a mixed day. Starting 20th, he quickly found a good rhythm, but two punctures in the first half of the special stage forced him to lose nearly three minutes. He finished the stage 3’01 behind the winner, occupying tenth place overall, a ranking that could change in the next stage.
Ross Branch leads among the bikers
On the motorcycle side, Ross Branch decided to set the bar very high. Departing well before the cars, the Hero rider took command after about a hundred kilometres and never let go. However, his impressive performance earned him a six-minute penalty for speeding in a regulated zone, a Damocles sword that could cost him dearly in the final standings.
Edgar Canet, who had won the prologue, took advantage of this situation to seize second place. Daniel Sanders finished third after losing time in the last part of the stage. Ricky Brabec was the first Honda representative to cross the finish line, while Tosha Schareina and Luciano Benavides completed the top 6. Nacho Cornejo, with four minutes of bonus, found himself in sixth position, followed by a Ross Branch relegated to seventh place.
In the overall standings, Edgar Canet maintains his status as leader with a one minute and five seconds lead over Daniel Sanders. Adrien van Beveren, despite a chaotic start, remains in eighth place with a deficit of 6’16.
A difficult and unpredictable course
The Dakar is often considered the ultimate test for drivers and their machines. This first stage was no exception. The varied terrains presented unique challenges: narrow and delicate sections on hard ground that tested the tyres, followed by sandy stretches where punctures lurked at every turn. The drivers had to demonstrate composure and strategy to navigate this mechanical jungle.
Errors can be costly on this type of course, and experience is a major asset. Guillaume de Mévius showed that he not only had talent but also a keen understanding of the challenges posed by the Dakar. His ability to remain calm in the face of formidable opponents is noteworthy.
Looking to the future
With such a first stage, one can expect the following days to be just as intense. Teams will need to refine their strategies to adapt to the whims of the terrain and the behaviours of their competitors. The battle for the podium promises to be tight, and every minute will count in the quest for the coveted title.
The Dakar 2026 promises to be rich in emotions, and with drivers like De Mévius and Branch in the race, anything can still happen. Stay tuned to follow the twists and turns of this unforgettable edition.
Provisional overall standings after stage 1 (Cars)
Provisional overall standings after stage 2 (Bikes)
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