Stage 12 of the Dakar Rally 2026 takes the competitors from Al Henakiyah to Yanbu on the Red Sea coast and marks a long and physically demanding day. Although the finish location hints at the rally’s conclusion, one full and technically varied stage still lies ahead. The combination of extended liaison sections, a special stage with multiple interruptions, and ever-changing terrain demands full concentration until the final kilometers.
The total distance of Stage 12 is 720 kilometers, with 362 kilometers of special stage. The day begins with a long liaison of 215 kilometers from the bivouac in Al Henakiyah to the start of the timed section. After the special, another liaison of 194 kilometers leads to the bivouac in Yanbu. Due to this setup, competitors will once again spend most of the day on the road.
Start times and daily schedule
The bikes are the first to leave the bivouac at 05:05. Cars and trucks follow from 07:10. The special stage starts at 07:50 for the bikes and at 09:55 for the FIA categories. Given the long distances and several checkpoints, a late arrival in Yanbu is expected, with closing times extending deep into the night.
Stage characteristics and terrain
Stage 12 features a pronounced variety in terrain. The special stage consists largely of dirt tracks and sand, interspersed with short dune sections and rocky passages. Asphalt is only present in the liaison sections. The first part of the stage is relatively fast, with wide tracks where high speeds are possible. However, navigation remains critical due to the many parallel routes.
The middle portion includes several checkpoints and a neutralized zone. This segment is more technical, with narrower tracks, changing elevation, and areas with limited visibility. After the neutralized zone, the pace increases again, but fatigue and the long race rhythm start to take their toll. In the final part of the stage, fast sections and technical terrain alternate until the assistance zone and the stage finish.
The organizers have implemented several vigilance zones, including stony plateaus and transitions from fast tracks to softer sand. These changes make the stage particularly tricky, especially when combined with the day’s overall length.
Stage 12 openers
In the bike category, Skyler Howes will open the stage. He is followed by Adrien Van Beveren and Edgar Canet. Behind them, Luciano Benavides, Tosha Schareina, Ricky Brabec, and Daniel Sanders also start early and are tasked with setting the pace in a stage where speed and precision go hand in hand.
In the car category, Mattias Ekström in the Ford Raptor will be the first off the line. He starts ahead of Romain Dumas and Carlos Sainz. João Ferreira, Seth Quintero, Guillaume de Mévius, Sébastien Loeb, and Nasser Al Attiyah are also among the early starters. In the truck category, Ales Loprais, Vaidotas Zala, and Mitchel van den Brink open the stage, followed by several Dutch teams.
A long day toward the red Sea
Stage 12 is a classic long Dakar day, bringing together everything that makes the rally so demanding. The combination of a significant special stage, lengthy liaisons, and a varied route calls for discipline and razor-sharp focus.
