With just two days left before the prologue of Dakar 2026, the bivouac in Yanbu is buzzing with renewed ambition, striking comebacks, and innovation. The technical and administrative checks brought familiar faces back into the spotlight, including defending champion Yazeed Al Rajhi. This edition also marks a notable return for seasoned figures such as Stéphane Peterhansel and Mathieu Baumel, both of whom will start under very different circumstances than in previous years.
Toyota takes center stage
The Toyota Hilux is once again making a strong impression in the bivouac, with several contenders aiming for overall victory. Yazeed Al Rajhi returns as reigning champion, determined to defend his title on home soil despite a serious crash earlier this year. “We’re ready to fight. The goal is to win again,” said the Saudi fan favorite. Henk Lategan, last year’s runner-up, is slightly more cautious: “The competition is closer than ever. There are many teams that can take the win.”
Young drivers are also increasingly pushing to the front. João Ferreira (26), Seth Quintero (23), and Saood Variawa (20) already have stage wins under their belts and are now chasing top spots in the general classification. Another standout name is Eryk Goczał, who won a Dakar title in the SSV category at just nineteen and now makes his debut in the top class, once again in a Toyota Hilux.
The comeback of ‘Monsieur Dakar’
Stéphane Peterhansel is not chasing another overall win this year but has chosen a completely different project. He will compete in the Stock category with a Defender D7X-R, a vehicle much closer to its production counterpart than the high-tech prototypes. “We’ll be far from the front, but that’s not the point. These cars require a different driving style and a different mindset,” explained the 14-time winner. Alongside Sara Price and Rokas Baciuška, he leads the Defender team in this alternative competition.
Mathieu Baumel returns to the top level
After a serious crash in early 2025, it seemed unlikely that co-driver Mathieu Baumel would ever return to Dakar competition. Yet this year, he is once again navigating for Guillaume de Mévius in the X-raid Mini. “They said I would need one to two years of recovery, but I was ready again after six months,” he said. The pair have already completed two events as preparation. A win might be out of reach, according to Baumel: “But a top five finish would be an amazing restart. A stage win would feel like a personal victory.”
DaklaPack Rallysport ready for Dakar 2026
DaklaPack Rallysport has also completed its preparations successfully. Both vehicles from the Dutch team passed administrative checks, technical inspection, and a solid shakedown. The team is officially cleared for the start on January 3. Final preparations are scheduled for tomorrow, after which Dakar 2026 truly kicks off with the prologue.
Original by Motul: pure adventure
In the Original by Motul class – for motorcyclists without any external assistance – 26 riders are ready for a true test of endurance. Dakar director David Castera addressed them personally: “You represent the real adventure, away from the spotlight.” Among the riders are former winners like Emanuel Gyenes and challengers such as Benjamin Melot and Javi Vega. There are also ten rookies, including Frenchman Matthieu Jauffraud, who emphasized that their shared goal is to stand on the podium on January 17.
