Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1542726
ROUND 1 / JANUARY 3-17, 2026 YANBU, SAUDI ARABIA OFF-ROAD I FIM WORLD RALLY-RAID CHAMPIONSHIP P78 one, second on stage two, and eighth on stages three and four, but a destroyed mousse in his rear tire on stage five put paid to his chances of overall glory. The Spaniard bounced back to take second on stage seven, third on stage 11, and the final win of the race in stage 13, mak - ing his final finishing position of 32nd not indicative of the speed he showed in 2026. Rounding out the top 10 in the 2026 Dakar Rally were stage-10 winner Adrien Van Beveren (Honda), Jose Ignacio Cornejo Florimo (Hero), Ross Branch (Hero), Rally2 winner Toni Mulec (KTM) and Preston Campbell (Honda). For Mulec and Campbell, they held their own battle royale in the Rally2 division after me - chanical trouble befell fancied runners Michael Docherty (KTM) and Martim Ventura (Honda) on stage four. his stage-10 injuries is a testa - ment to his determination and, yes, his stubbornness. "I'm happy for the team, and that's just Dakar—it's never over until it's over," Sanders said. "Ev- ery day is different, and anything can happen. I was in a lot of pain and honestly just ready to lie down, but hearing the news of Luciano's win gave me the ex - tra motivation to go and see and congratulate him. Unfortunately, I was unlucky in my own race and out of the fight for the win, but the result is still in the team, and that's something special." Dakar sophomore Edgar Canet (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was right in contention early on, with his victory on the opening Prologue making him the youngest-ever Special win - ner of the Dakar at just 20 years and 131 days. He backed that performance up with another win on stage en career win on stage 11 and thus became the ninth American rider to taste Dakar stage glory. "I'm super happy to make it to the finish line of this one—a lot of adversity, some things to overcome, and some really good riding," Howes said at the rally's conclusion. "I'm happy with how I rode. The team did a great job; they did awesome with the mechanics, the logistics, and I'm super happy to be a part of Monster Energy Honda HRC and to make it to the finish line of this one." Incredibly, fifth place overall went to the thoroughly black and blue Daniel Sanders. The apple farmer from Victoria in Australia's south was over an hour from the win, but the fact he even chose to compete with Nacho Cornejo and the Hero Motorsports entry were back for 2026, but a solitary stage podium was scant reward for their efforts.