With the start of the Dakar Rally 2026 approaching, another intense contest is taking shape in the bike category. From a Dutch perspective, there are two key elements to highlight: the participation of rider Ian Olthof and the involvement of two Dutch service teams, HT Rally Raid and BAS World KTM Racing Team. This article outlines the scope of the Dutch contribution.
Ian Olthof: The only Dutch rider
Ian Olthof, a 26-year-old from Hellendoorn, will take on his first Dakar Rally with start number 136. His entry marks the culmination of a strong and intensive preparation phase. During the latest Rallye du Maroc, he proved both physically and mentally ready for the challenge. After recovering from a crash earlier in the year, he returned to the sand, regained his rhythm, and finished the rally with confidence. The Rallye du Maroc is widely seen as the ultimate dress rehearsal for Dakar, with dunes, technical navigation, and high speeds, exactly what Dakar is all about. Olthof will be the sole Dutch representative in the bike category this year.
HT Rally Raid: Heading to Dakar with Honda
HT Rally Raid from Vorden has long been a well-known name in the rally raid scene. With roots going back to the 1990s, the team transitioned to motorcycle rallying early on. In 2025, HT Rally Raid made headlines again by signing a deal with Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) after many years with Husqvarna. Together, they launched a structured race support system. From the 2026 season onward, HT Rally Raid will officially operate the Honda Rally2 program. For Dakar 2026, this means the team is heading to Saudi Arabia with seven riders, including Dutchman Ian Olthof.
Dakar 2026 Riders – HT Rally Raid:
- 23 – Anthony Raynard (South Africa)
- 28 – Nerimantas Jucius (Lithuania)
- 41 – Ruy Barbosa (Chile)
- 58 – Dovydas Karka (Lithuania)
- 76 – Robert Prybylowski (Poland)
- 134 – Markus Hertlein (Germany)
- 136 – Ian Olthof (Netherlands)
BAS World KTM Racing Team: Dutch support for a global brand
Dutch influence also extends to the BAS World KTM Racing Team based in Boekel. Closely affiliated with KTM, the team competes in the Rally2 category using KTM 450 Rally Replica bikes. BAS World KTM provides full support and service to ten international riders and acts as a bridge between Rally2 riders and the larger KTM factory effort. In the W2RC series, the team recently claimed the World Cup for Rally2 teams, underlining their impact on the sport.
Dakar 2026 Riders – BAS World KTM Racing Team:
- 14 – Michael Docherty (South Africa)
- 16 – Toni Mulec (Slovenia)
- 30 – Mathieu Doveze (France)
- 57 – Khaliunbold Erdenebileg (Mongolia)
- 70 – Francisco Arredondo (Guatemala)
- 72 – Jiri Broz (Czech Republic)
- 75 – Brandon Krause (USA)
- 123 – Filip Grot (Poland)
- 135 – Nathan Rafferty (USA)
- 148 – Tomas de Gavardo (Chile)
Top contenders return
Several established names are preparing for another showdown. Daniel Sanders enters as the clear favorite after dominating last year’s edition from start to finish with multiple stage wins. His closest rival appears to be Tosha Schareina, who finished just nine minutes behind Sanders in 2025 and has since solidified his position among the elite. Luciano Benavides, the 2023 rally raid world champion, is back with serious ambitions following his withdrawal in Morocco. Also returning is Ricky Brabec, who secured multiple stage wins last year and remains a serious threat thanks to his experience.
Meanwhile, Ross Branch continues to perform consistently at the top level with Hero MotoSports Team Rally. He has become a regular contender at the front and keeps impressing with his steady results. Young talent is pushing through as well. Mason Klein is once again betting on the ambitious KOVE factory team, showing both boldness and trust in emerging technology. Bradley Cox, son of Dakar legend Alfie Cox, makes the move to the official Sherco TVS Rally Team this year, a major step in his career and a sign that rising brands are ready to challenge the old guard.
The factory outfits are gearing up in full force. At Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, Sanders leads the charge alongside Benavides and Edgar Canet, with the Austrian manufacturer eyeing a return to outright dominance. On the other side is Monster Energy Honda HRC, presenting a formidable trio in Brabec, Schareina, and Skyler Howes. The key question: can Honda close the technical gap with KTM and outmaneuver them strategically across the brutal terrain that Dakar 2026 will undoubtedly bring?
