Van Beveren wins Stage 10 as Brabec takes Dakar lead

Adrien Van Beveren dominated Stage 10 of the 2026 Dakar Rally in the Saudi dunes, while Ricky Brabec used a strategic ride and time bonus to take the overall lead with three stages remaining.

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Stage 10 of the 2026 Dakar Rally reshaped the fight for overall victory as Adrien Van Beveren delivered a commanding win in the dunes while Ricky Brabec climbed to the top of the general classification.

After an overnight halt at the marathon bivouac, riders launched into a demanding 368-kilometre special toward Bisha in Saudi Arabia’s Asir Province. Deep, energy-sapping sand dominated the route, forcing competitors to manage fatigue, navigation and pace in equal measure before finally reconnecting with their teams at the finish.

Van Beveren thrived in the brutal conditions. Drawing on his deep sand-racing pedigree, the Monster Energy Honda HRC rider attacked the towering dunes with confidence and control. He steadily reeled in the riders ahead, including Tosha Schareina, Brabec and Michael Docherty, and used his position at the front to maximise the available time bonuses.

Luciano Benavides briefly applied pressure midway through the stage, but Van Beveren never lost his rhythm. He maintained his advantage to claim his seventh career Dakar stage victory, finishing 3 minutes and 49 seconds clear of Brabec. On his 11th Dakar appearance, the Frenchman’s performance marked a decisive return to form after early setbacks in the rally.

Brabec’s run was more tactical but just as effective. Starting fourth on the road, the American benefited from the tracks ahead while managing his pace through the soft sand. His progress was briefly interrupted when he stopped to check on Daniel Sanders after the Australian crashed in the dunes, but Brabec quickly regrouped and secured second place on the stage.

Crucially, a 1-minute 37-second time credit for assisting Sanders elevated Brabec into the overall lead. After more than 41 hours of racing, he now tops the classification by a razor-thin 56 seconds over Benavides.

Schareina endured a tougher day after opening the route early in the stage, losing significant time in the first third of the special. He later worked with Brabec to help Sanders before settling into a steadier rhythm. Despite finishing sixth on the road, Schareina collected valuable bonus time that lifted him onto the provisional overall podium in third place. With a more favourable starting position ahead, he now holds a small advantage over Sanders, who drops to fourth.

Skyler Howes continued his quietly impressive Dakar with a solid fourth-place finish. The dune-heavy terrain suited both the American and his Honda CRF450 RALLY, allowing him to complete the two-day marathon stage without incident and remain fifth overall.

With only three stages remaining, the Dakar Rally is poised for a tense and unpredictable finale. Stage 11 will push riders even harder with an 883-kilometre journey toward Al Henakiyah, demanding precision, stamina and flawless navigation with no room left for mistakes.