Dakar 2026 Stage 10: Serradori’s Triumph Amidst Al-Attiyah’s Strategic Comeback!
In a breathtaking display of skill and endurance, Mathieu Serradori clinched a stunning victory in Stage 10 of the grueling Dakar Rally, propelling the Century team into the spotlight as he dominated the 420km test around Bisha. But the day wasn’t just about Serradori; it was also a pivotal moment for Dacia’s Nasser Al-Attiyah, who clawed his way back to the top of the overall standings, setting the stage for an electrifying showdown in the coming stages.
The intensity ramped up as drivers faced the second part of the marathon stage, where they had to rely on their own mechanical expertise overnight, without external assistance. Serradori, behind the wheel of the powerful Audi-engineered Century CR7, began the day in a promising second place, trailing the factory Ford of Mattias Ekstrom by a mere five seconds. However, fortune struck when Ekstrom encountered mechanical issues just before the 100km mark, paving the way for Serradori to seize control—a lead he would never relinquish.
As the relentless desert terrain tested the mettle of competitors, Serradori showcased an incredible pace, steadily increasing his advantage over Al-Attiyah, finishing with a remarkable margin of 6 minutes and 12 seconds. This victory not only marked Serradori’s second stage win in the history of his Dakar journey but also secured Century’s place among the elite, joining the ranks of five different brands—Ford, Toyota, Dacia, Mini, and Century—that have achieved stage victories in the 48th edition of this legendary rally.
Despite facing his own hurdles, Al-Attiyah managed to secure a commendable second place, even after incurring a 40-second time penalty earlier in the race. His performance solidified his bid for a monumental sixth overall Dakar title. Meanwhile, fellow Dacia driver Sebastien Loeb, recovering from a self-repaired power steering malfunction, finished strong in third place, just nine minutes off the lead.
The drama intensified as reigning World Rally-Raid champion Lucas Moraes rounded out the Dacia dominance in fourth place, with a time just 34 seconds behind Loeb. Toyota’s Guy Botterill led the charge for his team in fifth, while Henk Lategan struggled in sixth, enduring a significant 13-minute setback during the stage. The day proved disastrous for Ford, as their key contenders faced critical setbacks—Ekstrom limped to a 13th-place finish after losing more than half an hour, and Carlos Sainz Sr. suffered a navigational nightmare, finishing 19th and conceding a staggering 45 minutes.
With the Ford team stumbling, Al-Attiyah capitalized on the chaos, reclaiming the overall lead by an impressive 12-minute cushion over rival Lategan. The overnight leader, Roma, slipped to third, while Loeb’s resilience paid off, moving him into fourth place overall. Serradori’s triumph elevated him to fifth, while Ekstrom and Sainz faced steep challenges, dropping to sixth and seventh respectively, both trailing by over 30 minutes as they approach the next stage from Bisha to Al Henakiyah.
In the overall standings, Lucas Moraes sits snugly in eighth, with Toyota’s Toby Price and Saood Variawa completing the top ten. A dramatic barrel roll at the start of the stage saw Dacia’s Cristina Gutierrez losing valuable time, finishing 18th for the day and sliding to 14th overall.
As the Dakar Rally roars on, the stakes have never been higher. Will Serradori maintain his momentum, or will Al-Attiyah’s strategic prowess guide him to yet another victory? The desert awaits as the competitors gear up for what promises to be an unforgettable continuation of this legendary race!
