The Dakar 2026 has delivered its share of surprises, and this edition is no exception. Ricky Brabec, who seemed to have victory in his grasp, saw his dream vanish just 7 kilometres from the finish, leaving the field open for Luciano Benavides to claim victory by a handful of seconds. A dramatic turn of events that reminds us that in the desert, nothing is ever guaranteed.
A final stage full of promise
The last act of this Dakar 2026 in Saudi Arabia took place around Yanbu, featuring a timed special of 105 kilometres. This loop promised to be a true challenge, alternating between winding tracks, sand, and rocks, before reaching the coast for a spectacular finish. At this stage of the competition, Ricky Brabec, the winner of the previous stage and leader with a comfortable lead of 3 minutes and 20 seconds over his pursuer, Luciano Benavides, had everything going for him. Who would have imagined that he would end up losing the race due to a simple navigation error?
An unexpected turning point
Halfway through the event, Brabec was leading the way, smoothly passing all the intermediate waypoints. Thanks to his position as the opener, he benefited from some valuable bonuses. However, it was at the 98th kilometre that a dramatic turn occurred. The American missed a crucial junction, heading straight on when a small track to the left should have been taken. This misstep quickly had fatal consequences. While he continued on his path, unaware of his mistake, Benavides, more attentive, seized this unexpected opportunity.
The reaction from the bivouac
At the finish, the atmosphere at the bivouac was both feverish and tense. Frenchman Adrien Van Beveren explained to L’Équipe how he too had missed the small track but had quickly corrected his course. This general uncertainty gave way to palpable anxiety in the riders’ camp. When the news broke, it was as if time had stopped: Benavides was declared the winner of the overall classification, finishing just two seconds ahead of Brabec. A historic victory for the KTM rider, celebrating his first success at the Dakar.
The stage victory for Canet
While the overall crown slipped from Brabec’s grasp, we must not forget the stage victory, which goes to Edgar Canet. The latter, already victorious in the prologue and the first stage, demonstrated his determination by finishing this final special with a six-second lead over Benavides. Tosha Schareina completed the stage podium, taking third place 47 seconds behind Canet.
Overall classification after this final stage
Provisional overall classification after the final stage (Motorbikes)
In this Dakar 2026, the twists and turns have been numerous, and the suspense kept everyone on the edge of their seats until the very last second. Motorsport, and particularly rallies like the Dakar, constantly remind us that every detail matters, and even the greatest of leaders can experience an unexpected turnaround. In the dunes and on the rocky tracks, it is not enough to be fast; one must also be vigilant.
For those wishing to follow other thrilling events in the automotive world and motorsport, do not hesitate to check out the other championships.
