Mitch Guthrie has won the third stage of Dakar Rally 2026 and takes the overall lead for the first time in his career. The American was fastest over the 421-kilometre special around AlUla, beating privateer Martin Prokop by 2:27. Guy Botterill completed the podium at 5:23. Ford now occupies all top five positions in the overall classification.
It’s a double first for Guthrie: his first stage victory in the Ultimate category and his first time leading the Dakar. “The American dominated the closing section of the special to taste victory,” the organisation reported. In the overall classification he now has a 26-second advantage over Prokop, the best privateer.
It’s also historic for the United States: it’s the first time since 2010 that two different Americans have won a stage in the same Dakar edition. Back then it was Mark Miller and Robby Gordon, now it’s Seth Quintero (stage 2) and Guthrie.
The performance marks a perfect start to the Dakar for Ford. After Mattias Ekström’s prologue victory, this is the second stage win for the American manufacturer, which also occupies all five top positions in the classification with Guthrie, Prokop, Ekström (+1:08), Carlos Sainz (+3:34) and Nani Roma (+4:02).
Ekström temporarily took lead
Mattias Ekström experienced a special moment in his career. After 219 kilometres, the Swede took the lead in the virtual classification, a position he had never previously held in his Dakar career.
Ekström held that position until kilometre 303, but ultimately had to settle for ninth place in the stage (+7:36). In the overall classification he is now third, 1:08 behind Guthrie.
Botterill shines in closing phase
Guy Botterill produced a stunning finale. The South African was still ninth at kilometre 340, but fought his way to the podium in the final eighty kilometres. “Although he was ninth 100 kilometres from the finish, Guy Botterill delivered a stunning finale behind the wheel of his Hilux,” the organisation reported.
Botterill is now the best-classified Toyota in the overall standings, although that’s a disappointing eleventh place (+14:47).
Al-Attiyah and Loeb lose major time
Nasser Al-Attiyah lost his leading position after a difficult day. The Qatari finished twentieth at over 22 minutes and dropped to tenth place in the classification (+11:39).
Sébastien Loeb had it even harder. The Frenchman suffered two punctures in the first hundred kilometres and then had to drive carefully to preserve his tyres. “Without another spare wheel, I had to drive carefully to preserve my tyres and reach the finish,” he explained. He finished 24th at 25:25 and dropped to twelfth place overall (+16:50).
Quintero loses hour due to problems
Seth Quintero, yesterday’s winner who had to start first, experienced a disastrous day. The American stopped several times and ultimately lost more than an hour (+1:15:02). At kilometre 258 he was already 19:28 behind Ekström after a long stop at kilometre 275.
“If I can have a decent day tomorrow and start somewhere in the midfield for the marathon, I’ll be happy,” Quintero had said before the start. That wish isn’t coming true for now.
Century and Dacia in pursuit
Mathieu Serradori drove a strong stage and finished eighth (+7:32) with his Century CR7. “The Dakar is not a sprint, it’s an endurance race where every decision counts,” emphasised the Frenchman, who is now eighth in the classification.
Lucas Moraes finished fourth in the stage (+5:46) and is the best-classified Dacia driver in sixth overall (+5:16). Cristina Gutiérrez finished fifth in the stage (+5:57) and is seventh in the classification.
De Mévius with problems
Guillaume de Mévius had bad luck. The Belgian stopped for several minutes at kilometre 246 with a mechanical problem and lost considerable time. He also suffered a puncture. He dropped from third to a much lower position in the classification.
The 736-kilometre stage around AlUla combined sandy canyons with rocky formations and made high demands on navigation. The second part of the route was made extra difficult by wind and recent rain that had wiped out tracks.
Van Kasteren with problems, Becx fastest Dutchman
Michiel Becx was the fastest Dutchman with 34th place at 36:55, a solid result after a poor start to the rally. Roger Grouwels finished 45th at 52:09 and Dave Klaassen was 50th at 58:01.
Janus van Kasteren experienced a dramatic day. The first 300 kilometres went well and he was even in fourteenth place, but then things went wrong. “Tyre… then another tyre… and then we saw a lot of oil coming out of the engine,” he explained. With an engine leaking oil, he had to cover the last 100 kilometres at 20 to 30 kilometres per hour, stopping along the way to top up with engine oil from local residents. A third tyre also punctured. He finished 57th at 1:10:26. “Really a shame, because it was going great for the first 300 kilometres.”
Dave Klaassen finished just behind his son Pim. “The last 30 kilometres Dave was behind Pim, and both finished after 412 kilometres right after each other,” said Tessa. Now follows a 250-kilometre liaison back to the bivouac before tomorrow’s marathon begins.
Maik Willems finished 57th in 1:09:49 and Tim Coronel made a good comeback after yesterday’s time loss, finishing 62nd in 1:15:25 and having a lot of trouble with dust along the way.
