BISHA — The 2026 Dakar Rally entered its most volatile phase on Tuesday during Stage 9, a 541-kilometer journey from Wadi Ad-Dawasir to Bisha. The day saw a dramatic overhaul of the general classification in both the car and bike categories, driven by navigational challenges and a late-stage speeding penalty for a top contender.
In the Ultimate (Car) category, Nani Roma (Ford) surged to the top of the overall standings after a grueling 418-kilometer special. While Eryk Goczal secured the stage win, Roma’s consistent pace allowed him to capitalize on the misfortune of rivals. His teammate Carlos Sainz finished the stage ahead of him but was relegated to second overall after receiving a one-minute penalty for speeding. Dacia’s Nasser Al-Attiyah, the previous leader, slipped to third, trailing Roma by just 1 minute and 10 seconds.
The Bike category saw Tosha Schareina (Honda) claim his third stage victory of the edition with a dominant performance. However, the headline was Daniel Sanders (KTM), who finished second on the stage to retake the overall lead. Despite a six-minute penalty for exceeding a speed-controlled zone, Sanders now holds a 6-minute and 24-second advantage over Honda’s Ricky Brabec. Previous leader Luciano Benavides struggled as the “road opener,” losing over 11 minutes and dropping to third in the general classification.
According to the Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), Stage 9 served as the opening half of the rally’s second 48-hour marathon segment. Competitors spent the night at a remote bivouac with limited mechanical assistance, adding a layer of strategic preservation to the day’s racing.
The rally remains in the Bisha region for Stage 10 today, featuring a 417-kilometer route including 371 kilometers of timed sections. With the top three cars separated by barely a minute, today’s dunes are expected to be the most decisive of the final week.