The route presentation for the 2026 Dakar Rally has received mixed reactions from participants. With nearly 5,000 kilometers of timed stages, it will be a true marathon, but the absence of the iconic Empty Quarter has also evoked nostalgia. RallyTracks spoke with participants from various categories about their expectations for the longest Dakar ever in Saudi Arabia.
Macik: “Tire strategy will be crucial”
The technical challenge of this edition is particularly evident for the trucks. Martin Macik, the reigning champion who will drive an Iveco Powerstar for his own MM Technology team alongside František Tomášek and David Svanda, has analyzed the route. Without the Empty Quarter, they must find an alternative path around Hail, which he believes will be extremely difficult. “Tire strategy will be crucial,” emphasizes the Czech driver.
The stages appear very long. According to Macik, the day before the rest day might even see competitors finishing at different times. “If the organization sets a pit stop at 300 kilometers, there must be something special about it,” he suspects. “For trucks, it will be interesting but really fast-paced, everyone will be pushing.”
Wouter Rosegaar, navigator for Brit Richard Aczel in a Can-Am Maverick R from South Racing in the SSV class, also expects that managing tires and avoiding stones will be a major focus. The duo aims for a solid finish, with strategic driving and flawless execution as their keys to success.
Van den Brink: “The first two days are crucial”
For Mitchel van den Brink, who is aiming for overall victory with navigator Jarno van de Pol and mechanic Bart van Heun in an Iveco Powerstar from Eurol Rallysport, the first days will be decisive. “I think the first two days will be crucial, and you don’t want to have too many problems there. The Dakar is long,” he explains.
Van den Brink speaks from experience: “In the past, I’ve seen how you can suddenly fall far behind on the second day. And that’s something you obviously want to avoid.” His strategy is clear: drive conservatively at the start, then increase the pace.
He is positive about the course itself, expecting beautiful, fast tracks, and feels well-prepared. “We’ll work well together with my dad, and then we’ll go full throttle!” Mitchel’s father, Martin van den Brink, is also participating in the Dakar and will provide rapid assistance for his son.
Coronel: “The rally is evolving”
Tom Coronel, who will start the race with his twin brother Tim in a Century CR7, has mixed feelings about the route. The absence of the Empty Quarter affects him deeply. “That was always the part where, as we drove there, you’d get butterflies in your stomach. You know, it was like, ‘Holy shit, it’s so desolate, so high, and so steep down there.’”
Coronel recalls an emotional moment from last year’s eleventh stage, where they finished thirteenth. They had the chance to stop halfway through the stage but chose to continue as one of the few. “I get goosebumps. I get tears in my eyes because it was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever experienced. That was the Empty Quarter, of course.”
The WTCR champion sees the rally changing. “The Dakar is becoming more of a rally race than an adventure like it used to be. I do miss the adventure, but the challenge remains huge. Every day is special, and the final kilometers are always thrilling,” he emphasizes. “It’s going to be insanely awesome again with my little brother.”
De Mévius and Wingens: marathon stages as an opportunity
The absence of the 48-hour stage but the introduction of two new marathon stages has elicited varied reactions. Guillaume de Mévius, driving for X-Raid in a MINI JCW Rally 3.0i, is enthusiastic. He loves the idea and expects a significant portion of the Dakar to be decided there. The Belgian is also pleased with fewer dunes, which suit him better than terrain with many dunes.
Egbert Wingens, who will drive with his wife Marije Wingens-Van Ettekoven and mechanic Marijn Beekmans in an Iveco Torpedo, looks forward to camping in the desert. The trio will also provide rapid assistance for Paul Spierings, a contender for the overall victory in the Challenger class. “We also like the idea of two marathon stages with camping in the desert! It’s an art to conserve your equipment because, apart from a campfire, you can’t do much if you really break down.”
Klaassen: ambitious debutant
Pim Klaassen will make his Dakar debut in the Challenger class with navigator Mark Laan. His third-place finish in the BP Ultimate Rally Raid Portugal 2025 shows he is a name to watch.
Klaassen is pragmatic about the route, expecting many long stages with mostly gravel and stones. “We’ll have significantly fewer dunes this year. There will still be some kilometers of dunes, but not as many as in previous editions. That actually works out well for me since I don’t have much experience in the dunes.”
Rosegaar: “Finishing is the goal”
Not everyone is racing to win. Wouter Rosegaar is honest about his objectives: finishing is the goal. Thanks to last year’s training, their pace has improved. By driving strategically and avoiding mistakes, they hope to gain positions step by step.
Rosegaar is also realistic about the absence of the Empty Quarter. They knew it wouldn’t be included, which is a shame because it’s magical there. “But there’s plenty of challenge elsewhere. The organization knows Saudi Arabia very well by now and will try to introduce new challenges in many ways.”
Olthof: “Family can now come for multiple days”
For Ian Olthof, who will make his Dakar debut on a Honda CRF 450 from HT Rally Raid in Saudi Arabia, the logistics around the finish are a relief. Since the penultimate stage already heads toward the finish, his family can come watch for several days. “Yesterday, we booked tickets for the whole family to attend the finish. Hopefully, I’ll make it to the finish, of course.”
Olthof is honest about the course: he has never ridden a single meter in Saudi Arabia and isn’t technically skilled at analyzing routes. He doesn’t mind the absence of the Empty Quarter since he’s not a fan of dunes. He welcomes the long days. “It can get tough. I’ve trained so hard that I really hope it shows. Bring it on.”
Dakar 2026 will be a true endurance test
Reactions to the Dakar 2026 route are varied, but one thing is clear: it will be a grueling test of endurance. While title contenders like Mitchel van den Brink and Martin Macik focus on tire strategy and tactics in their Iveco trucks, veterans like Tom Coronel look back nostalgically on the lost adventure in their Century CR7.
The marathon stages and record number of kilometers present new challenges, where equipment management and flawless driving could make the difference. From the top factory teams to SSV drivers and truck crews providing assistance, everyone is preparing for the toughest Dakar in the Saudi era.
As Guillaume de Mévius puts it: “It looks like a very long Dakar in terms of total distance. Now, I’m just looking forward to being there and getting started.”
The Dakar Rally 2026 starts on January 3 in Yanbu and finishes there on January 17 after thirteen stages and one rest day in Riyadh.
