WADI AD DAWASIR — French rider Adrien Van Beveren (Monster Energy Honda) secured a decisive victory in Stage 7 of the 2026 Dakar Rally on Sunday, January 11, marking a high-speed return to action following the rest day in Riyadh.
The stage, spanning a 402-kilometer special from Riyadh to Wadi Ad Dawasir, featured a treacherous mix of canyons and shifting dunes. Van Beveren completed the course in 3 hours, 22 minutes, and 10 seconds, finishing 1 minute and 42 seconds ahead of his teammate Ricky Brabec. This result further tightens the overall motorcycle classification, where Daniel Sanders (Red Bull KTM) maintains a slender lead of just 32 seconds over Brabec after finishing fourth on the day.
In the Ultimate (Car) category, the day was defined by tactical navigation. Sébastien Loeb (The Dacia Sandriders) took the stage win, clawing back 3 minutes and 15 seconds from his teammate and overall leader Nasser Al-Attiyah. Al-Attiyah, who finished the stage in third position, remains the general classification leader with a gap of 2 minutes and 55 seconds over Loeb.
According to official data provided by the Saudi Arabian Automobile and Motorcycle Federation (SAMF), temperatures in the Wadi Ad Dawasir region reached 28°C during the peak of the race, creating softer sand conditions that led to several mechanical stoppages in the Challenger class.
Saudi favorite Dania Akeel moved up to 8th in the overall Challenger standings after a consistent performance, finishing 12 minutes behind stage winner Mitch Guthrie. Akeel’s progress continues to be a focal point for local fans as the rally heads into the more technical southern sectors.
The competition continues tomorrow with Stage 8, a loop around Wadi Ad Dawasir that will take the field deep into the fringes of the Empty Quarter.