The 2026 Dakar Rally continues to deliver high drama and intense competition as the desert battle enters its final stages. Stage 11 saw Sweden’s Mattias Ekstrom claim a thrilling victory, while overall leader Nasser Al‑Attiyah held firm at the top of the standings. Proving that strategy and consistency remain just as important as outright speed.
Stage 11 Shake-Up and Strategy
In a high-stakes day across the Saudi Arabian desert, Ekstrom won on the 346-kilometer run from Bisha to Al Henakiyah. Marked his third stage triumph of this year’s endurance odyssey. While the stage win bolsters his credentials, it was Al‑Attiyah’s tactical mastery that kept him firmly ensconced at the summit of the leaderboard.
With two stages remaining, the Qatari veteran is on course for what would be a sixth career Dakar title. A testament to his blend of experience and consistency over punishing terrain.
Al‑Attiyah’s Commanding Lead and Smart Rallying
Al‑Attiyah began Stage 11 with a healthy lead over his rivals, and despite competitors’ attempts to close the gap, he finished 8 minutes 40 seconds ahead of Spain’s Nani Roma. Throughout the day, he demonstrated the measured aggression required in the 2026 Dakar Rally, balancing speed with careful preservation of both the machine and energy. “Tomorrow, we just need to do the same as today. If we lose two, three, or four minutes, it’s no problem. We just need to finish this Dakar in first place,” he said.
Meanwhile, rival Henk Lategan’s hopes of mounting a late charge unraveled as mechanical failures and navigational errors dropped him to 23rd overall. These setbacks highlight the brutal reality of the 2026 Dakar Rally. Where resilience is as crucial as speed, and attrition often reshuffles even the strongest contenders.
Podium Picture and Motorcycle Battles
Behind Al‑Attiyah and Roma, nine-time world rally champion Sebastien Loeb sits third overall, more than 18 minutes adrift of the lead. Ekstrom’s fourth in the standings reflects how competitive the field remains, even as positions start to clarify. Carlos Sainz, Ekstrom’s teammate and four-time Dakar winner, sits fifth, rounding out a formidable group of seasoned drivers.
In the motorcycle category, reigning champion Daniel Sanders continues despite a broken collarbone, falling out of contention for the top spot. American Ricky Brabec relinquished the lead by design, aiming for a better starting position in an upcoming stage. Argentina’s Luciano Benavides now tops the two-wheeled standings, with American Skyler Howes taking the stage win ahead of French Honda teammate Adrien Van Beveren.
Final Stretch Toward Yanbu
With just two stages remaining, focus and strategy are at a premium. Al‑Attiyah is holding firm, while stage hunters like Ekstrom continue chipping away at individual legs. The Dakar Rally 2026 promises thrilling finales, blending speed, strategy, and endurance to crown the ultimate desert champions.
Follow Arabwheels and get daily updates on the automotive world!
