The sixth stage of the 2026 Dakar Rally delivered a dramatic day of action for the RallyGP bikes class as competitors tackled a 331 km timed special from Hail to Riyadh. In a thrilling turnaround, Ricky Brabec (Monster Energy Honda HRC) surged to his first stage win of this year’s rally — capitalising on a penalty to his rival to take the top spot. Brabec’s strong ride now puts pressure on the overall standings as the rally approaches its mid-point.

Stage 6 – Bikes Results

Brabec’s performance marked his 12th Dakar stage victory and came after championship frontrunner Daniel Sanders (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was hit with a six-minute speeding penalty that dropped him behind in the stage order. Honda’s consistency saw Tosha Schareina and others chase Brabec home in a competitive stage battle.

*Sanders’s posted time reflects his penalised result after a speeding penalty, which significantly impacted his stage classification despite riding among the fastest on the road.

What Happened on Stage 6

Brabec’s win was a tactical masterclass, as he stayed clean through the technical middle sectors and avoided the navigational penalties that have affected some rivals. Schareina’s runner-up ride kept him close in the standings, while Sanders battled hard on the stage but lost time due to his penalty — underscoring how tight and unforgiving Dakar navigation and race control can be.

Honda riders have shown strong form over the last two days, and Brabec’s first victory of the rally injects new intrigue into the race as the field approaches the rest day before resuming with the next leg.