The 2026 Dakar Rally reached its midway point with Stage 6, the longest timed special so far at 458km. Nasser Al-Attiyah led the cars for a pivotal stage win, overtaking overall leader Henk Lategan, while American Ricky Brabec claimed his first stage victory in the bike category, narrowing the gap on Daniel Sanders. The challenging route included diverse terrains, demanding strong navigation and tire management, while penalties for speeding added tension to the competition.

By the Numbers
  • Nasser Al-Attiyah won Stage 6 in the cars category with a time of 3h 38m 28s.
  • Ricky Brabec secured his first stage win for bikes with a time of 3h 41m 33s, only 45 seconds behind overall leader Daniel Sanders.
State of Play
  • Brabec's stage win tightens the competition, as he sits 45 seconds behind Sanders in overall standings.
  • In cars, Al-Attiyah has a comfortable 6-minute lead over his closest rival after the stage.
What's Next

As the rally enters a rest day in Riyadh, crews will focus on repairs and strategic planning before tackling the challenging second week in the dunes. The competition remains fierce, with potential surprises as racers navigate a mix of strategy and endurance.

Bottom Line

The Dakar Rally is shaping up to be an intense showdown, with tight margins in bike standings and Al-Attiyah's lead in cars. The next stages will be critical for maintaining positions and considering strategies for the demanding conditions ahead.