Dakar Rally Stage 2: Sanders wins on Bikes, Toyota sweeps cars

The sun beat down mercilessly on January 5, 2026, as the Dakar Rally caravan left the coastal bivouac at Yanbu and plunged inland toward the ancient oasis of Al-Ula. Stage 2 was a brutal 400km timed special — a mix of rocky canyons, fast gravel plains, and deceptive sandy sections that tested navigation and nerve alike.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

For the bikes, it was a day of master and apprentice; for the cars, a Toyota masterclass that shook up the early standings.

In the bike category, young sensation Edgar Canet—fresh off wins in the Prologue and Stage 1—opened the road, but early navigation hiccups and a close encounter with wandering camels allowed his Red Bull KTM teammate, defending champion Daniel “Chucky” Sanders (pictured), to reel him in. The Australian veteran took the lead mid-stage and held it to the finish, claiming his 10th career Dakar stage victory. Sanders and Canet rode in tandem for much of the day, banking valuable bonus seconds while pulling away from the pack. Behind them, Honda’s Ricky Brabec chased hard but couldn’t close the gap entirely. Honda rookie Martim Ventura impressed with a strong run in Rally2, topping his class and cracking the overall top 10.

Stage 2 Results – Bikes (Top 10)

Sanders’ win vaulted him into the overall lead, with Canet staying close in second.

2026 Dakar Rally Bikes Top 10 after Stage 2

Toyota 1-2-3-4 in Cars Category

Meanwhile, in the cars, Toyota unleashed a devastating performance. After a subdued Stage 1, the Hilux brigade dominated from waypoint to waypoint, navigating punctures and rocky traps better than anyone. American Seth Quintero led a historic 1-2-3-4-5 sweep for Toyota, claiming his third career stage win ahead of teammate Saood Variawa. Former bike star Toby Price rounded out the factory team’s strong day in the top four. The fastest non-Toyota was Sebastien Loeb in his Dacia Sandrider, but even the nine-time WRC champion trailed by six minutes. Consistent runs from Nasser Al-Attiyah in his Dacia propelled the Qatari legend to the overall lead.

Stage 2 Results – Cars (Ultimate Class, Top 10)

As the bivouac lights flickered on in Al-Ula’s dramatic rock formations, the rally was already living up to its reputation: unforgiving, unpredictable, and utterly captivating. With Sanders and Al-Attiyah now atop their respective overall classifications, the battle for Dakar glory was heating up faster than the Saudi desert sun. Tomorrow’s loop stage around Al-Ula promises more rocks, more risks, and more drama.

Dakar Rally – Overall results after Stage 2: