The third stage of the 2026 Dakar Rally in the truck category turned into a gruelling war of attrition around AlUla. It was a long rally day with a total of 736 kilometres, including 421 against the clock, where tyre management became the decisive factor.
Mitchel van den Brink was one of the few to keep his equipment intact and made his move in the final section. The Eurol Rallysport driver claimed his second stage win of this Dakar and extended his overall lead in the classification.
Tyre war decides the outcome
Mitchel van den Brink drove a composed stage, deliberately opting for a conservative approach in the early part. While many of his competitors destroyed their tyres, he was able to push in the final kilometres. His post-stage analysis was clear: everyone ran out of tyres. At the finish line, he managed to hold off Aleš Loprais by 1 minute and 2 seconds. Richard de Groot completed the podium, finishing 3 minutes and 35 seconds behind. Defending champion Martin Macík came fourth, 4 minutes and 51 seconds down.
The special unfolded unpredictably. After eighty kilometres, Macík took the lead with a slim margin over Van den Brink, with Loprais close behind. Around kilometre 167, Loprais struck back and gradually built a lead. At the halfway point, the Czech driver looked set for his twentieth Dakar stage win. But everything changed in the final stretch. Loprais had to slow down, while Van den Brink, who had conserved his tyres, surged ahead to clinch the stage.
With this stage win, Mitchel van den Brink increased his lead in the overall standings to eight minutes over Macík. Loprais lost valuable time and saw the Dutchman pull further ahead, though the gap remains within reach in this long rally.
Strong and fair racing among the Dutch crews
Richard de Groot delivered another consistent and error-free performance. Together with mechanic Jan Hulsebosch and navigator Martijn van Rooij, he kept the pace high despite tough sand, dust clouds and challenging navigation points. With 120 kilometres to go, the truck suffered a slow puncture, but they managed to maintain pressure until the finish. Third place was the reward for controlled driving and solid teamwork in the Firemen Rallyteam cabin.
Tough day for the Kuipers Jongbloed Hybrid team
For the Kuipers Jongbloed Hybrid team, it was a classic Dakar day. Gert Huzink started strong with a clear track and good rhythm in the loose sand, but an early right rear puncture forced him to drive briefly on the rim. After changing tyres, he suffered another flat on the rocky section. A jammed spare delayed the replacement, forcing him to continue cautiously through thick dust and treacherous terrain. In the final forty kilometres, where the terrain turned sandy again, he was able to pick up the pace and limit the damage.
Kay Huzink also had a demanding stage. He started well, overtook several competitors and even gave one of his tyres to teammate Gert. Twenty kilometres later, he too was hit by a puncture. After the change, another 250 kilometres remained, during which he had to drive conservatively. It cost time, but gave him valuable experience in a stage he described as educational and typical for Dakar.
Van den Brink senior back in the game
A solid performance came from Martin van den Brink. Together with his crew, he drove to seventh place in the stage results. Despite heavy dust, an air hose issue and a tyre change just before the finish, the team remained positive. After a difficult second stage, he’s back moving up the ranks and now sits twelfth overall.
William de Groot’s Exit
Unfortunately, a major setback for William de Groot of De Grootsport. During today’s stage, William hit a rock in the new MMT Iveco. A significant blow, as he was going at a brisk 50 to 50 km/h. Finishing together was the goal with Ben, but unfortunately, it was a big blow to his ego and a tear in the cab. The crew is fine, a few aches here and there, but this is the end of the Dakar for the 612.
Looking ahead to the marathon
With stage three completed, the first marathon stage of this Dakar is up next. Stage four features a 451 kilometre special leading to a closed bivouac with no access to external service crews. All maintenance must be performed by the drivers themselves, with help only allowed between competitors. It will be another test of strategy, mechanical care and team spirit — the very elements that made the difference in AlUla.
If the third stage made anything clear, it is that Dakar in the truck category is not a sprint but a high-speed chess match. And for now, Mitchel van den Brink is making all the right moves.
Results stage 3
1. Mitchel van den Brink 04:52:59
2. Aleš Loprais +00:01:02
3. Richard de Groot +00:03:35
5. Gert Huzink +00:21:02
7. Martin van den Brink +00:24:38
9. Ben de Groot +00:35:05
10. Kay Huzink +00:37:54
14. Egbert Wingens +01:02:32
18. Marnix Leeuw +02:29:25
