The 2026 Dakar Rally edges closer with Saudi Arabia once again hosting motorsport’s most gruelling endurance test. A strong Dutch contingent of 58 competitors will tackle the desert terrain across 13 punishing stages, making the Netherlands one of the best-represented nations in this year’s event. The race begins with a prologue on 3 January, culminating in a final stage on 17 January that returns to the coastal city of Yanbu.
Route overview and key statistics
The seventh consecutive Saudi Arabian edition follows a demanding itinerary that tests both mechanical reliability and human endurance. Starting from Yanbu, competitors face an early marathon stage through Al-‘Ula before reaching the capital Riyad for a crucial rest day. The route then winds south through Wadi Al-Dawasir and Bisha before looping back north via Al-Hunakiyah to conclude where it began.
Cars and trucks will cover 7,994 kilometres in total, with 4,840 kilometres classified as special stage – the timed competitive sections that determine final classifications. Motorcycle entries face a marginally shorter 7,906-kilometre route, though 4,748 kilometres of that remains special stage terrain. The proportion of competitive distance to liaison sections makes this one of the more intense Dakar calendars in recent memory, leaving little room for mechanical issues or navigational errors.
Title contenders across multiple categories
The motorcycle class presents defending champion Daniel Sanders on KTM factory machinery as the rider to beat. Luciano Benavides, also aboard a KTM, enters with strong form alongside Honda’s duo of Ricky Brabec and Tosha Schareina. Ross Branch represents Hero’s ambitions in what promises to be a fiercely contested two-wheel battle. Kevin Benavides, Luciano’s brother, has switched from motorcycles to the T3 Challenger buggy category, where he’ll face defending champion Nicolás Cavigliasso in Taurus equipment.
Toyota arrives with considerable firepower in the car category. Defending winner Yazeed Al-Rajhi leads a three-pronged attack that includes Henk Lategan and American talent Seth Quintero. Ford has assembled a formidable response squad featuring Mattias Ekström, Mitch Guthrie, and rallying legend Carlos Sainz. Dacia counters with perhaps the most decorated driver lineup: five-time Dakar winner Nasser Al-Attiyah partnered with nine-time World Rally Champion Sébastien Loeb. This manufacturer rivalry promises tactical battles throughout the fortnight.
Czech driver Martin Macík returns to defend his truck category victory with his MM Technology Iveco operation. Last year’s race saw six Dutch trucks finish inside the top ten, highlighting the nation’s particular strength in the heaviest class. That depth of talent suggests multiple podium contenders from the Netherlands in 2026.
Dutch representation across all categories
The 58-strong Dutch entry list spans every competitive class. Brothers Tim and Tom Coronel return in their Century CR7 in the T1+ auto category, continuing their long-standing Dakar participation. The Klaassen family fields multiple entries: Dave and Tessa Klaassen compete in a DKR EVO Ultimate, while Puck Klaassen drives a T3.1 Challenger with Argentine co-driver Augusto Sanz, and Pim Klaassen pilots a Taurus EVO Max alongside Mark Laan.
Several teams represent concentrated Dutch efforts. Shiver Offroad enters three Century CR7 machines with crews including Janus van Kasteren with Marcel Snijders, Roger Grouwels alongside Rudolf Meijer, and Michiel Becx partnered by Wouter de Graaff. Daklapack Rallysport fields entries in both car and Challenger categories, demonstrating the operational complexity required to mount a multi-vehicle Dakar campaign.
The truck contingent showcases Dutch engineering expertise and rally raid experience. Mitchel van den Brink drives for Eurol Rallysport in an Iveco PowerStar with navigator Bart van Heun and mechanic Jarno van de Pol. Martin van den Brink represents the same team in identical machinery, crewed by Rijk Mouw and Belgian mechanic Peter Willemsen. The De Groot family operation fields three Iveco PowerStars: Richard de Groot with the Firemen Rally Team, plus Ben and William de Groot running separate entries under the De Groot Sport banner.
Gert Huzink campaigns a Renault C460 EVO 4 for Kuipers Jongbloed Hybrid, with his son Kay Huzink also competing in Renault equipment. This father-son dynamic adds personal stakes to the already intense competition. Marnix Leeuw heads Leeuw Rallysport’s effort in another Iveco PowerStar, completing a formidable Dutch truck presence that could dominate the category standings.
Technical challenges and strategic considerations
The high percentage of special stage kilometres relative to total distance means teams face limited opportunities for major repairs between competitive sections. Navigation remains critical in Saudi Arabia’s vast desert expanses, where accurate roadbook reading can determine whether crews gain or lose hours. Sand dune crossings test vehicle suspension and drivetrain durability, while rocky sections threaten tyre integrity and undercarriage protection.
Tyre strategy proves particularly complex in the truck category, where weight and terrain combine to accelerate wear patterns. Teams must balance cautious preservation of equipment against the need to maintain competitive pace. The marathon stages – where no external mechanical assistance is permitted overnight – amplify these calculations, rewarding crews who can perform their own repairs while managing fatigue.
What this means going forward
The substantial Dutch presence across all categories positions the Netherlands as a significant force in this year’s Dakar Rally championship battle. With proven winners like Martin van den Brink and strong family operations such as the Klaassens and De Groots, Dutch teams combine experience with fresh talent. The next fortnight will test whether this depth of entry translates into podium success across multiple classes. As the prologue approaches, attention shifts to final mechanical preparations and the crucial opening stages that often determine which crews can sustain a championship challenge through the Saudi Arabian desert.
