The Yanbu Miracle: Dacia’s Desert Conquest and the Two-Second Heartbreak

 

YANBU, SAUDI ARABIA – After 14 days of relentless torment across the most unforgiving terrain on Earth, the 48th Dakar Rally has reached its crescendo on the shores of the Red Sea. This was not merely a race; it was an 8,000-kilometer odyssey that broke machines and tested the very limits of human sanity. As the dust settles over Yanbu today, January 17, 2026, the history books will record a shifting of the guard and the narrowest finish in the history of motorsport.

In the Ultimate (Car) category, the desert has a new king, though his face is a familiar one. Nasser Al-Attiyah has secured his sixth Dakar title, but this victory tastes different. It marks a monumental debut for the Dacia Sandriders, a project many dismissed as too ambitious for such a short development cycle. Al-Attiyah, the "Prince of the Desert," navigated the treacherous dunes of the Empty Quarter and the jagged canyons of Al-Bahah with a surgical precision that left his rivals chasing shadows. While others succumbed to mechanical failure or the Dakar’s infamous navigation traps, Al-Attiyah and the Sandrider remained an unstoppable force of nature, blending raw speed with the veteran poise that has defined his 20-year career.

However, the headline that will echo through the ages comes from the Motorcycle category. In a sport where hours usually separate the elite, the 2026 title was decided by a breathtaking two seconds. Luciano Benavides, the younger of the Argentine flying brothers, snatched the victory from the hands of Honda’s Ricky Brabec in the final seven kilometers of the rally. Brabec had led for much of the second week, but a momentary lapse in concentration at a hidden waypoint allowed Benavides to charge through the final dunes like a man possessed. It is a result that defies logic and cements Luciano’s place alongside his brother Kevin as a Dakar legend.

The battle for the podium was a showcase of pure grit. In the cars, Nani Roma proved that age is just a number, bringing the Ford Raptor home in second place to secure a historic double-podium for the American manufacturer alongside Mattias Ekström. In the bikes, the story of the rally was Daniel Sanders, who rode into Yanbu with a broken collarbone sustained just three days ago, remarkably finishing fifth. This 2026 edition returned to the roots of the rally—emphasizing endurance and navigation over flat-out sprinting—and in doing so, reminded us why the Dakar remains the "Everest of Motorsports."

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FINAL OVERALL CLASSIFICATION: CARS (ULTIMATE)

1. Nasser Al-Attiyah (QAT) | Dacia Sandriders | 48h 56' 53''
2. Nani Roma (ESP) | Ford M-Sport | + 00h 09' 42''
3. Mattias Ekström (SWE) | Ford M-Sport | + 00h 15' 20''
4. Lucas Moraes (BRA) | Toyota Gazoo Racing | + 00h 45' 11''
5. Seth Quintero (USA) | Toyota Gazoo Racing | + 01h 02' 03''

FINAL OVERALL CLASSIFICATION: MOTORCYCLES

1. Luciano Benavides (ARG) | Red Bull KTM | 49h 00' 41''
2. Ricky Brabec (USA) | Monster Energy Honda | + 00h 00' 02''
3. Tosha Schareina (ESP) | Monster Energy Honda | + 00h 25' 12''
4. Skyler Howes (USA) | Monster Energy Honda | + 00h 56' 41''
5. Daniel Sanders (AUS) | Red Bull KTM | + 01h 03' 15''

Report: Neil McDaid

Hyundai team principal Cyril Abiteboul speaks to Craig Breen's passing

Hyundai team principal Cyril Abiteboul delivered a statement on Wednesday to explain what happened in the crash that killed Hyundai driver Craig Breen last week. 

 Breen lost his life when testing for Croatia Rally last Thursday. He was laid to rest in his home city of Waterford on Tuesday. Making his first public comment since the accident at a time when World Rally Championship teams usually host a media hour with all of its drivers, Abiteboul appeared in the Croatia Rally’s media center instead to explain the facts that have been determined from Breen’s fatal accident. 

 Abiteboul confirmed that a fence pole intruded the side window of Breen’s cockpit, and that the 33-year-old succumbed to his issues at the scene. “Craig was laid to rest yesterday and it’s been a very emotional time for all of us,” said Abiteboul. 

 “Emotions are still raw and there has been an amazing outpouring of grief for Craig, who was an incredible person to know, as a team-mate, competitor and friend. “Regarding the accident, we can say that Craig was participating in the pre-event test in Croatia. “Road conditions were slippery and the car slid off the road at a relatively low speed and made contact with a wooden fence. A post from this fence intruded into the cabin through the driver’s side window. 

 “The stage was closed immediately and the on stage medical team was rapidly on the scene. “We must mention that James Fulton was unhurt in the crash and our hearts go out to him. We are doing everything we can to support James at this time. “Craig was taken to hospital from the stage. 

As far as can be determined, Craig’s passing was instantaneous. “Hyundai Motorsport and the FIA are working together to review all aspects of the incident. “As far as can be ascertained, there was no issue with any element of the car, the tires or the safety equipment. 

The local police completed a report at the scene. “Moving to this weekend and Croatia Rally, it was clear from the feedback from all stakeholders, and Craig’s family and friends, that the competitive spirit of Craig would have wanted this weekend’s rally to continue and for his team-mates to participate. 

“We thought long and hard about how to do this and how best to honour Craig. To this end, we are contesting the event with two cars, both running with a special livery to honour Craig, his Irish roots and his beloved Irish rally community. “Craig was a wonderful person and that is true of his family and friends. The rallying community has really pulled together and it’s a mark of the high regard with which Craig was held. 

 “There are a number of initiatives to honor Craig taking place over this weekend. As well as our special livery we have a book of condolence in our hospitality unit that everyone is invited to sign. This will be shared with the family. “This is all we have to say collectively at this stage.”