The 2026 Dakar Rally reached a breathtaking conclusion for the RallyGP bikes category on Stage 13 in Yanbu, as riders contested a final 108 km sprint to decide the overall podium. In one of the closest finishes in Dakar history, Luciano Benavides (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) edged out Ricky Brabec (Monster Energy Honda HRC) by just two seconds the narrowest margin ever recorded for a bike overall win at the event. After 13 punishing stages and around 8,000 km of racing through Saudi Arabia’s toughest terrain, the dramatic conclusion capped one of the most competitive editions in recent memory.
2026 Dakar Rally – Final Bikes Results
| Position | Rider | Manufacturer | Time / Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luciano Benavides | KTM | 49 h 00 m 41 s |
| 2 | Ricky Brabec | Honda | + 0 h 00 m 02 s |
| 3 | Tosha Schareina | Honda | + 0 h 25 m 12 s |
| 4 | Skyler Howes | Honda | + 0 h 56 m 41 s |
| 5 | Daniel Sanders | KTM | + 1 h 03 m 14 s |
| 6 | Adrien Van Beveren | Honda | + 1 h 04 m 46 s |
| 7 | Ignacio Cornejo | Hero | + 1 h 39 m 50 s |
| 8 | Ross Branch | Hero | + 2 h 49 m 15 s |
| 9 | Toni Mulec | KTM | + 2 h 57 m 18 s |
| 10 | Preston Campbell | Honda | + 3 h 01 m 55 s |
Historic Finish
Benavides’s final overall win — confirmed by multiple outlets covering the rally’s dramatic climax — stands as one of the most incredible chapters in Dakar history. He seized the opportunity when Brabec, who had led going into the final day, made a rare navigation error in the closing kilometres of Stage 13; Brabec’s slip dropped him back just enough for Benavides to snatch the lead by a razor-thin margin.
It was a fitting end to a fiercely contested rally that saw momentum swing between the sport’s top stars — and it marked Benavides’s first Dakar victory after years of consistent top-level performances. The result also continues KTM’s legacy in the event’s motorcycle category, adding to their impressive Dakar tally.
Podium Reactions
Riders spoke about the emotional and physical demands of Dakar after the finish. Brabec acknowledged the razor-thin loss but praised the intensity of the fight, while Schareina, who claimed the final podium spot, highlighted the strong resurgence he showed throughout the rally with consistent performances across changing terrain. Fans and competitors alike have hailed this edition as one of the most thrilling finishes in recent memory.