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Nasser Al-Attiyah and Dacia reigns supreme at Dakar 2026: a historic stage victory inches him closer to glory

Harry Bright by Harry Bright
January 16, 2026
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
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Nasser Al-Attiyah and Dacia reigns supreme at Dakar 2026: a historic stage victory inches him closer to glory

Nasser Al-Attiyah and Fabian Lurquin during the Stage 9 of the Dakar 2026 on January 13, 2026 between Wadi ad-Dawasir and Bivouac Refuge, Saudi Arabia // Kin Marcin / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202601130190 // Usage for editorial use only //

Dakar 2026: Nasser Al-Attiyah Dominates Stage 13, Eyes Sixth Title with Unmatched Fervor

In a thrilling duel on the penultimate stage of the 2026 Dakar Rally, Nasser Al-Attiyah has taken a giant leap toward securing his sixth crown, clinching victory in an electrifying showdown across the rugged 311km stretch between Al Henakiyah and Yanbu. The Dacia powerhouse showcased extraordinary skill and determination, outmaneuvering his competitors and solidifying his position at the top of the leaderboard.

From the very start, Al-Attiyah established dominance, seizing the lead just shy of the 100km mark. He deftly dispatched early frontrunner Mitch Guthrie, with his teammate, the legendary Sebastien Loeb, briefly creating a Dacia one-two punch. However, the excitement didn’t stop there. The Ford duo of Mitch Guthrie and Mattias Ekstrom made their presence felt, with Ekstrom momentarily snatching the top spot at the third checkpoint. Yet, Al-Attiyah’s resilience shone through as he reclaimed his lead in the subsequent 50km, leaving the competition trailing.

As the race intensified, Al-Attiyah’s lead fluctuated, but his unwavering focus allowed him to extend his advantage to a staggering 1 minute and 38 seconds by the final checkpoint. The thrilling race to the finish line saw Al-Attiyah fend off any late drama, sealing the stage win by a convincing margin of 1 minute and 4 seconds. This triumph not only marks his second stage victory of the 2026 rally but also celebrates a monumental milestone: the 50th stage win of his illustrious Dakar career, putting him alongside the rally icons Stephane Peterhansel and Ari Vatanen as the most successful drivers in the history of the event.

In a fierce battle for second place, Guthrie showcased remarkable resilience, overcoming a four-minute deficit earlier in the stage to outpace his more seasoned teammate Ekstrom, who ultimately finished in fourth, just 1 minute and 49 seconds behind Al-Attiyah. Meanwhile, Toby Price, driving his factory Hilux, surged ahead to claim the final podium spot, further intensifying the competition.

The Goczal family continued to impress, with Eryk and Marek Goczal finishing fifth and sixth, respectively, in their Energylandia Toyota, outpacing nine-time World Rally champion Loeb, who was relegated to seventh place, a staggering five minutes behind Al-Attiyah. In a disappointing turn, Nani Roma’s quest for a third Dakar title faced a significant setback, as he limped to an uninspired eighth place, losing over six minutes during Stage 12.

Henk Lategan, who suffered a catastrophic setback on Thursday due to a broken bolt, managed to recover somewhat, securing ninth for the factory Toyota team, while teammate Seth Quintero placed 11th. Carlos Sainz Sr., the legendary rally driver, settled into fifth place but is still searching for his first stage victory in this year’s grueling 48th edition of the Dakar.

With only a short 108km loop remaining in Yanbu on Saturday, Al-Attiyah holds a commanding overall lead of 15 minutes and 2 seconds over Roma, inching ever closer to that coveted sixth Dakar title. The race for the final podium spot remains heated as Ekstrom surged into third place, but only 29 seconds separate him from Loeb, making the battle for supremacy all the more exhilarating.

As the stakes rise and the finish line approaches, all eyes will be on Al-Attiyah, who is not just racing against his competitors but also against history itself. The Dakar Rally has never seen a driver quite like him, and the 2026 edition is shaping up to be one for the ages.

Tags: 100-acre-wood-rally2023-dakar-rally2025-ford-championship2025-toyota-usa-track-and-field-championshipsDaciamitch-guthrieNasser Al-Attiyahsebastien-loeb-en
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