Stage five of the 2026 Dakar Rally brought major shake-ups in both Rally GP and Rally2 categories. The ride to Ha’il saw a stage victory for Luciano Benavides, while Daniel Sanders reclaimed the overall lead after an intense day of racing. In Rally2, Preston Campbell held onto his top spot despite another strong performance from Neels Theric. Dutch rider Ian Olthof also completed the stage after a tough start to his rally, marking a positive moment for the Netherlands.
Rally GP: Benavides strikes, Sanders back on top
Luciano Benavides delivered a commanding performance in stage five. The Argentinian rider rode with control and speed, gradually building his lead. He secured the stage win with a margin of 3 minutes and 51 seconds over Ignacio Cornejo. Daniel Sanders finished third, 5 minutes and 50 seconds behind, a result that worked well for his overall standing.
Thanks to his result, Sanders reclaimed the overall lead. He now holds a gap of 1 minute and 59 seconds over Tosha Schareina. Ricky Brabec sits in third, just over two minutes behind. With his stage win, Benavides climbs to fourth in the general classification and is now clearly in the fight for a podium finish.
Behind the leading trio, the stage had its share of stories. Bradley Cox impressed with a fourth-place finish, the best result of the week for Sherco. Honda had a challenging day. Schareina and Brabec were among the early starters and lost time, while Adrien Van Beveren suffered a major setback when a wire got caught in his wheel, costing him over thirty minutes and pushing him down the standings. Edgar Canet also faced trouble, losing over an hour due to an issue with the foam in his rear wheel.
Rally2: Another strong ride from Theric, Campbell still in control
Rally2 once again saw success for Neels Theric and Kove. The Frenchman claimed his second consecutive stage win, reinforcing the rise of the Chinese brand. Theric finished forty seconds ahead of Konrad Dabrowski, while Preston Campbell took third, just over five minutes down. Theric also achieved a remarkable result in the overall daily ranking, finishing high among the Rally GP riders.
Despite Theric’s performance, Preston Campbell remains the comfortable leader in the Rally2 standings. The American now has a lead of over twenty minutes on Dabrowski, who moved up to second place thanks to his strong ride. Toni Mulec is in third, just seconds behind Dabrowski.
There were more retirements in the class. Paolo Lucci was forced to abandon the stage after over 300 kilometers due to tire problems, ending his hopes for a solid overall result. In the Original by Motul category, Josep Pedro took the stage win and closed the gap to standings leader Benjamin Melot.
Dutch rider Ian Olthof keeps going
Dutch competitor Ian Olthof, racing in Rally2, managed to complete the fifth stage despite physical setbacks. After a heavy crash in stage three that resulted in a shoulder injury, Olthof rode a controlled pace toward Ha’il, finishing 40th in Rally2 and 53rd overall. His determination is keeping him in the race, proving he can endure the Dakar’s relentless demands.
Looking ahead
With the first marathon stages behind them, the rally is beginning to take a toll on both riders and machines. The battle in Rally GP is tighter than ever, with Sanders, Schareina, and Brabec separated by just minutes. In Rally2, Campbell appears headed for a strong result, though Theric is proving that daily wins remain within reach.
Stage six from Ha’il to Riyadh is by far the longest of this year’s Dakar, with a 331-kilometer special and a massive 589-kilometer liaison. Despite an extremely early start, the stage will appeal especially to dune lovers. The Qassim region is dominated by endless sand fields, occasionally interrupted by valleys, but sand remains the key element throughout. Rhythm, tire management, and focus will be critical. Only after completing the special will riders begin the long journey toward Riyadh, where the rest day finally awaits. Stage six could prove decisive. Those who survive it intact can approach the second half of the Dakar with confidence.
