Brabec–Benavides Duel on a Knife Edge as Van Beveren Rules Dakar 2026 Stage 10

Moto Rally, Sportrik Media - The motorcycle category of the Dakar Rally 2026 has reached its most intense point after Stage 10, as the title fight between Ricky Brabec and Luciano Benavides has tightened to a matter of seconds at the top of the RallyGP overall standings. Amid that high-stakes battle, Adrien Van Beveren delivered a commanding performance to secure a decisive stage victory.

Van Beveren was untouchable across the white sand terrain of Bisha, completing the 368-kilometre special stage with a clear margin. The Monster Energy Honda HRC rider finished 4 minutes 04 seconds ahead of Benavides and 5 minutes 26 seconds clear of Brabec, sealing his seventh Dakar stage win. The result also carried strong symbolic weight, marking the first French motorcycle stage victory of Dakar 2026, achieved on the 40th anniversary of the death of Dakar founder Thierry Sabine.

Despite Van Beveren’s dominance, the primary focus shifted immediately to the RallyGP general classification. Provisional timings indicated that Benavides had moved into the overall lead, holding a narrow 41-second advantage over Brabec. However, the situation remains unresolved, as Brabec is eligible for time compensation after stopping to assist reigning champion Daniel Sanders following a serious crash at kilometre 138.

Under Dakar regulations, riders who lose time while assisting competitors involved in accidents may receive compensation once Race Direction completes its review. Initial estimates suggest Brabec could recover close to one minute, a swing that would be sufficient to return him to the top of the standings. Final confirmation will only come after GPS data, marshal reports, and timing logs have been fully analysed, leaving the RallyGP classification balanced on a knife edge heading into Stage 11.

For Sanders, Stage 10 marked a devastating turning point. The left shoulder injury sustained in the crash severely compromised his pace, and the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider finished more than 25 minutes behind Van Beveren. As a consequence, the defending champion has dropped out of the overall podium positions and now trails the lead by 16 minutes and 41 seconds, a deficit that realistically ends his hopes of retaining the Dakar title.

With only three stages remaining, Dakar 2026 has entered a full-scale psychological battle. For Brabec and Benavides, outright speed alone is no longer sufficient. Clean navigation, mechanical reliability, and flawless decision-making under pressure will be decisive factors as the margins separating victory from defeat continue to shrink.

Stage 10 once again underlined the essence of the Dakar Rally. It is not merely a test of speed, but a relentless examination of character, consistency, and mental resilience. As the Touareg trophy comes into view, the Brabec–Benavides duel and Van Beveren’s authority at the sharp end ensure that the RallyGP title fight will be settled only in the final kilometres of the world’s most brutal rally. Continued Dakar 2026 coverage is available at https://sportrik.com/en.