We recap Stage 1 of the 2026 Dakar Rally, which took place on 4 January.
Image: Kin Marcin/Red Bull Content Pool
Following 3 January’s prologue, Stage 1 of the 2026 Dakar Rally, which took place on 4 January, was essentially the first “proper” stage of the event, with the day’s results counting toward the overall rankings. Guillaume de Mévius, alongside navigator Mathieu Baumel, took the top spot for X-raid Team.
“Our approach is different from the others. We’re a bit on our own in this Dakar. We’ll ride our way and, if we win stages, all the better, and we’ll manage to have the best possible day the next stage. With Mathieu on my right, I’m not worried about opening a special. But of course, there is strategy involved, and we’ll need to stay mindful for what comes next,” said De Mévius.
Toyota Gazoo Racing pulled ahead early on, with Seth Quintero and South Africa’s Guy Botteril just two seconds apart at the 28 km mark. Mattias Ekström, the prologue winner, was third quickest by that point in his Ford Raptor; ahead of De Mévius and WRC ace Sébastien Loeb in his Dacia Sandrider.
Toyota Gazoo Racing SA’s Guy Botterill was the quickest South African in Stage 1, finishing seventh overall. Image: Toyota
Ford Racing undoubtedly wanted to put on a strong showing after winning the prologue, with Mitch Guthrie and WRC legend Carlos Sainz placing sixth and ninth, respectively, with Lucas Moraes (Dacia Sandriders) and Saood Variawa (Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa) between them.
At the 70 km mark, Loeb was second, with Eryk Goczał (Energylandia Rally Team) having thrown his name in the mix – 1 minute 11 seconds behind Ekström. De Mévius and Sainz rounded out the top five.
At 150 km, Ekström was leading Martin Prokop (Orlen Jipocar Ford Raptor) and teammate Nani Roma. Five-time Dakar Rally champion Nasser Al-Attiyah (Dacia Sandriders) was fourth; ahead of the Ford Raptor of Carlos Sainz. Marek Goczal, Eryk’s father, was sixth in his Hilux – with a Toyota Gazoo Racing trio comprising former motorcycle winner Toby Price, Botterill and Variawa behind.
By the time the field arrived back at the Yanbu bivouac, De Mévius had been declared winner of Stage 1 of the 2026 Dakar Rally, with Nasser Al-Attiyah in his Dacia Sandrider second fastest and Martin Prokop’s Ford Raptor third quickest at the end of the stage.
Monday, 5 January’s Stage 2 of the 2026 Dakar Rally sees the field head inland from the coast to the oasis region of AlUla for a 104 km liaison and 400 km special stage.
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