Daniel Sanders claims stage two win and Dakar lead

2026 Dakar Rally

Stage Two – Yanbu to Alula

Daniel Sanders has already moved into the 2026 Dakar Rally lead, with the stage two win in AlUla taking his tally to 10 profession stage victories in complete, hitting that double digit document, as solely the twenty second rider to take action.

Stage two of the Dakar Rally took riders from Yanbu to AlUla over a demanding 400-kilometer selective part. Heading inland towards the Hejaz Mountains, the stage started with gradual, technical terrain, that includes slim, winding tracks and rocky passes earlier than opening into wider, quicker sections.

After crossing a sequence of difficult riverbeds, the route completed at excessive pace throughout sandy plateaus, white-sand canyons, and flowing off-piste terrain, guaranteeing one other bodily and mentally demanding day on the bike for all.

Sanders chased down teammate Edgar Canet, who had a minor fall at kilometre 100, giving the Aussie an opportunity to catch up and nab the lead. When the mud settled, the 400 km particular full, and bonus factors for openers awarded, Sanders was 1m35s forward, with a 30s lead within the general standings.

Daniel Sanders

“Winner. At this time I began in second place and caught Edgar at about 100km, the place I used to be then opening and accumulating time bonuses. There was a number of difficult navigation however we managed to smash it! Tomorrow I open the stage, so I should be in the precise mindset.

“It was a significantly better stage right this moment and felt extra like traditional Dakar, with open terrain and an actual mixture of circumstances, which I actually loved. I had a good suggestion of what to anticipate, which helped with the rhythm, and it was necessary to get out entrance, open the stage and keep on prime of the navigation, correcting any small errors rapidly so I didn’t lose time. The tempo was sturdy, the bike and my physique are feeling actually good, and general it was a really optimistic day. There have been some difficult sections, particularly after the refuel, however we managed it effectively and stored a strong circulate, which is precisely what you need early on within the rally.”

After his two successes within the prologue and the primary stage, younger Spaniard Canet was known as upon to open the way in which, all the time a frightening activity, and one fraught with hazard, with navigation errors and crashes all the time a selected danger.

Edgar Canet

“I’m actually proud of how stage two went – it was an unimaginable stage for me. I had two small crashes early on, one after attempting to move a camel on the piste and clipping a rock, however that’s a part of rally racing and I felt superb afterwards. Navigation was very difficult in locations, particularly by means of the rocky riverbeds the place it was tough to even see the piste, so we needed to cease and punctiliously verify the roadbook at occasions. Even opening the stage we didn’t lose a lot time, and general I’m happy with each the navigation and the pace. It was a tricky stage for everybody, however I’m actually having fun with using right here and I’m joyful to nonetheless be very a lot within the combat.”

Behind the 2 Pink Bull KTM Manufacturing facility Racing riders, Ricky Brabec achieved the day’s third finest time and likewise stays a constant third within the normal rankings, 2m18s behind the rally chief.

The gaps stay modest within the prime 5, accomplished by Tosha Schareina, 4m41s behind, and Ross Department, 7m46s behind.

Making the very best use of his expertise and talent, Benavides maintained a measured and constant tempo by means of the primary demanding half of right this moment’s stage, growing his tempo because the terrain opened up in direction of the tip, the Argentine was positioned comfortably inside the highest 10. A small problem within the last kilometres slowed his development, however he was in a position to safely full the day in ninth place. Benavides now lies sixth within the provisional general rally standings, trailing Sanders by simply over 10 minutes.

Luciano Benavides

“I’m feeling good general, though right this moment was a really quick stage the place it was necessary to remain on the monitor. Sadly, I had a difficulty with the rear tire in direction of the tip after hitting a rock, so I needed to ease off and handle it fastidiously to ensure I reached the end. Even so, the sensation on the bike was optimistic, and I’m wanting to get again on the market tomorrow and make up for it.”

Adrien Van Beveren trails the chief by 14m09s, in tenth place within the normal rankings.

The competitors within the Rally 2 class has undergone a minor revolution, with a Honda motorbike successful for the primary time within the class (first launched in 2022), ridden by Portuguese rider Martim Ventura, a newcomer to the Dakar.  The Japanese model joins a membership that continues to be largely dominated by KTM (36 phases in R2), adopted by Husqvarna (16) and Sherco (2). Nevertheless, Ventura didn’t take the lead within the general class standings, the place Michael Docherty reigns with a lead of 19 seconds.

Subsequent: Stage Three

Tomorrow’s stage three will see riders full a looped stage beginning and ending in AlUla. Of the 666 kilometers lined, 422 will likely be timed particular – the longest of the rally to date.

2026 Dakar Rally Stage Two Outcomes
(Provisional)

1. Daniel Sanders (AUS), KTM, 4:13:37
2. Edgar Canet (ESP), KTM, 4:15:12 +1:35
3. Ricky Brabec (USA), Honda, 4:15:23 +1:46
4. Skyler Howes (USA), Honda, 4:16:52 +3:15
5. Tosha Schareina (ESP), Honda, 4:17:11 +3:34

2026 Dakar Rally Standings after Stage Two
(Provisional)

1. Daniel Sanders (AUS), KTM, 7:42:24
2. Edgar Canet (ESP), KTM, 7:42:54 +0:30
3. Ricky Brabec (USA), Honda, 7:44:42 +2:18
4. Tosha Schareina (ESP), Honda, 7:47:05 +4:41
5. Ross Department (BOT), Hero, 7:50:10 +7:46

2026 Dakar Rally Route/Schedule

2026 Dakar Rally route