Serradori Unstoppable, Loeb Climbs to Podium in Dakar 2026 Stage 10

Moto Rally, Sportrik Media - The Dakar Rally 2026 delivered another major shake-up in the Ultimate category during Stage 10 on the Bivouac Refuge–Bisha route on Wednesday (14/01/2026), as Mathieu Serradori asserted complete control of the stage while Sebastien Loeb launched a late charge to move onto the provisional podium.

By kilometre 356 of the special stage, Serradori was operating on a different level to the rest of the field. Driving the Century CR7 for Century Racing, the French driver extended his advantage to 5 minutes 48 seconds over Nasser Al Attiyah. With approximately 60 kilometres remaining, the margin placed Serradori firmly on course for a landmark Dakar stage victory, one that would rank among the most significant achievements of his career in the Ultimate class.

Serradori’s performance was not built on raw speed alone. On a stage featuring a 368-kilometre special and a 52-kilometre liaison, strategic discipline and mechanical preservation proved decisive. Serradori maintained a controlled rhythm throughout the day, avoiding navigational errors and unnecessary risks while steadily increasing pressure on his rivals. In a category dominated by factory-backed operations, his ability to manage pace under sustained stress stood out as a defining factor.

Behind the stage leader, the fight for the remaining podium positions intensified dramatically. Sebastien Loeb produced a strong late-stage push to climb into provisional third place. The nine-time World Rally Champion edged ahead of Henk Lategan by just four seconds, underlining how marginal the differences remain at this advanced point of Dakar 2026. Such a narrow gap highlights the extreme sensitivity of the classification, where even brief hesitations can result in position losses.

For Al Attiyah, second place on the stage still carries strategic importance. Competing in the Dacia Sandrider, the Qatari driver once again prioritised overall rally management rather than outright stage victory. While the time loss to Serradori was significant, Al Attiyah’s consistency and experience across multi-day marathon conditions continue to make him a central figure in the overall classification battle.

Stage 10 represents a pivotal moment in the closing phase of Dakar 2026. The combination of long distances, physical fatigue, and mounting psychological pressure is increasingly exposing weaknesses across the field. The late changes in provisional positions illustrate that no result can be considered secure until the final kilometres are completed and official times are confirmed.

With Serradori closing in on a historic stage win and Loeb reaffirming his competitive instincts in the Ultimate category, the Dakar 2026 narrative continues to intensify. As the rally approaches its final chapters, every strategic decision, navigational choice, and mechanical detail will carry amplified consequences in the fight for overall honours.

Official source: Dakar Rally Live Timing – World Rally-Raid Championship
https://www.dakar.live.worldrallyraidchampionship.com/en/bike/