Howes and Ekstrom Win in Al Henakiyah as Dakar 2026 Enters the Decisive Phase

Moto Rally, Sportrik Media - Stage 11 of the Dakar Rally 2026 from Bisha to Al Henakiyah delivered a complex mix of long-awaited breakthroughs, calculated strategy, and decisive setbacks. While Skyler Howes finally claimed his first Dakar stage victory in the RallyGP bike category, Mattias Ekstrom emerged fastest in the Ultimate car class, as the overall battles tightened dramatically with only two stages remaining.

In the motorcycle category, Howes’ victory carried both sporting and symbolic significance. Riding for Monster Energy Honda HRC, the Californian secured his maiden Dakar special-stage win on his eighth participation, becoming the ninth American rider to achieve such a feat. The faster, less sandy terrain toward Al Henakiyah suited Howes perfectly, reflecting his background in events like Vegas to Reno and the Sonora Rally. Although the result does not improve on his best overall Dakar finish of third in 2023, Howes is now on course to end the 2026 rally just outside the podium.

Honda’s broader strategy, however, proved to be the real talking point of Stage 11. The team deliberately sacrificed Ricky Brabec’s position at the top of the overall standings to gain a tactical advantage for the stages to come. Adrien Van Beveren, running as a stage opener, waited for Brabec after refuelling to share the bonus points awarded to riders who open the route. Later in the stage, Brabec went a step further, easing his pace to ensure a more favourable starting position for the following day, directly behind his main rival Luciano Benavides. The move added suspense and underlined Honda’s willingness to prioritise long-term outcomes over short-term leadership.

For KTM, the situation has become increasingly tense. Benavides now leads the RallyGP overall standings by just 23 seconds, but the advantage is fragile. He will be forced to start the next decisive stage with Brabec setting off six minutes behind him, a scenario that places immense pressure on the Argentine rider. The condition of Daniel Sanders offers little relief for KTM, as the injured Australian could only manage the 13th-fastest time of the day and will be unable to support Benavides strategically. That role may instead fall to Edgar Canet, who finished third on Stage 11 and will start three minutes ahead of Benavides.

In the Ultimate car category, Stage 11 favoured those chasing stage success rather than overall contenders. The quicker route, with fewer sandy sections than the previous day, allowed later starters to exploit cleaner lines. Ekstrom took full advantage, claiming his eighth Dakar stage win and his third of the 2026 edition. The Swede edged out fellow Raptor driver Romain Dumas by 1 minute 22 seconds, denying the Frenchman a first Dakar stage victory but still marking his best result in nine participations.

While Ekstrom attacked for the stage, Nasser Al Attiyah focused on control. Starting the day with a 12-minute overall lead over Henk Lategan, the leader of Dacia Sandrider executed a measured drive aimed solely at protecting his advantage. His approach was rewarded when Lategan suffered a rear-left wheel bearing failure around kilometre 140, a problem that effectively ended the South African’s podium hopes at Dakar 2026.

Lategan’s misfortune reshaped the overall standings. Nani Roma emerged as the primary beneficiary, moving up into second place overall. However, the Ford Raptor driver now trails Al Attiyah by 8 minutes 40 seconds, a margin that will be difficult to overturn without external factors intervening. Roma must also weigh his strategy carefully, as his advantage over third-placed Sebastien Loeb stands at around ten minutes, leaving room for an aggressive late push from the nine-time World Rally Champion.

Loeb, meanwhile, faces a clear objective over the final two days: to challenge for second place and potentially secure a one-two finish for Dacia. Such an outcome would represent his fourth Dakar podium and further underline the strength of the Sandrider package in the rally’s closing phase.

With just two stages remaining, Stage 11 confirmed that Dakar 2026 has entered its most unforgiving phase. In RallyGP, seconds and starting positions now dictate the title fight; in Ultimate, mechanical reliability and strategic restraint have become decisive. As history repeatedly shows, Dakar rewards those who manage pressure and uncertainty best—and with the finish line approaching, every decision now carries championship consequences.