Stage 10 of the Dakar Rally 2026 concludes the second marathon stage and leads competitors from the marathon bivouac to Bisha. After a basic overnight stay without service team support, another demanding and selective day lies ahead. Fatigue, self-performed repairs and vehicle management play a crucial role, while the overall standings begin to weigh more heavily at this point in the rally.
The total distance of Stage 10 is 420 kilometers, including a 368-kilometer special stage. The day begins with a short 7-kilometer liaison from the marathon bivouac. After the finish of the stage, there is a final 45-kilometer liaison to the bivouac in Bisha. There is no service route for the teams, underlining the marathon nature of this stage.
Start times and day schedule
The bikes are the first to leave the marathon bivouac at 06:45. Cars and trucks follow from 07:15. The special stage begins at 07:05 for the bikes and at 07:35 for the FIA categories. Due to two neutralization zones within the stage and the overall length of the day, the last competitors are expected to arrive in Bisha late in the evening.
Stage characteristics and key features
Stage 10 offers a complete rally experience, with a wide variety of surfaces. Roughly one third of the route consists of dirt tracks, complemented by sandy sections, dunes, and short rocky areas. Asphalt plays no part in the special stage. In the opening phase, fast tracks and sandy segments alternate, after which the terrain becomes more technical with narrow routes and limited visibility due to vegetation and terrain relief.
Midway through the stage, competitors face several rocky zones and plateaus where high speeds are possible, but sharp navigation remains essential. Two neutralization zones break up the flow of the race and require competitors to quickly regain their rhythm afterwards. The final part of the stage features a mix of high-speed stretches and technical segments leading to the assistance zone and the finish. The combination of speed and fatigue makes this stage treacherous until the final kilometers.
Stage openers
In the bike category, Tosha Schareina will open the stage, followed by Daniel Sanders and Michael Docherty. Ricky Brabec, Skyler Howes and Adrien Van Beveren also start early and face the challenge of setting the pace in a stage where navigation and rhythm are critical.
In the car category, Eryk Goczal will open the stage in his Toyota Hilux, followed by Michal Goczal and Toby Price. They are trailed by Guillaume de Mévius, Cristina Gutierrez and Carlos Sainz. Big names such as Henk Lategan, Nasser Al Attiyah, Lucas Moraes, Sébastien Loeb and Mattias Ekström follow shortly after. In the truck category, the top teams also start relatively early, including Ales Loprais, Vaidotas Zala and the Dutch crews of Mitchel van den Brink, Kay Huzink and Gert Huzink.
End of a tough marathon phase
Stage 10 wraps up the second marathon stage and marks a key turning point in the final phase of the Dakar Rally 2026. The mix of long distances, technical terrain, and the marathon format makes this stage mentally and physically demanding. Those who reach the finish in Bisha without major issues can push forward with renewed focus toward the closing stages. However, mistakes or damage sustained in this marathon phase may continue to impact the rest of the rally.
