The Saudi Arabian desert witnessed a new chapter of excitement and challenge on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, during the third stage of the Dakar Rally Saudi Arabia , the world's premier motorsport event organized by the Saudi Arabian Motor Federation under the supervision of the Ministry of Sport. This edition further solidifies the Kingdom's position as a major global destination for motorsports, capitalizing on its diverse terrain, which ranges from golden sand dunes to rugged rocky landscapes.
Details of the third phase and terrain challenges
The competitors covered a total distance of 736 km in this stage, including a 421 km timed special stage. These long distances are a true test of the drivers' endurance and the vehicles' performance, especially given the fierce competition in this year's rally. The Saudi edition of the Dakar Rally is part of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to boost the sports and tourism sectors. The event attracts millions of viewers worldwide and showcases the Kingdom's unique geographical diversity.
Car category: Guthrie shines, Al-Attiyah struggles
In the car category, American driver Mitch Guthrie of Ford Racing dominated, securing first place with a time of 4 hours, 4 minutes, and 32 seconds. Guthrie not only won the stage but also seized the overall lead in the rally, holding a comfortable advantage over his rivals. Conversely, the stage witnessed a major upset as Qatari rally champion Nasser Al-Attiyah dropped to tenth place overall, more than 11 minutes behind the leader, presenting him with a significant challenge to get back into contention in the upcoming stages.
A Saudi achievement in the "Challenger" category
On the national level, Saudi champion Yasser Bin Saeedan, driver for the Nasser Racing team, etched his name in gold after successfully seizing the overall lead in the lightweight desert vehicle category, "Challenger." Although the stage went to Dutch driver Bock Klaassen, Bin Saeedan's balanced performance and second-place finish in the stage, just 8 minutes and 25 seconds behind, enabled him to climb to the top of the overall standings, bolstering Saudi hopes of winning the title in this category.
Results of other categories and preparation for the marathon stage
In the motorcycle category, the Honda Energy team continued its dominance with Spaniard Tosha Sharina taking first place. In the truck category, Dutchman Mitchell van den Brink emerged victorious. All eyes now turn to tomorrow, Wednesday, as the fourth stage, known as the "Marathon Stage," kicks off in Al-Ula Governorate. This stage is of paramount strategic importance, as external technical support is prohibited, forcing competitors to rely on their own mechanical expertise to repair their vehicles. This could significantly alter the overall standings of the rally.
