Red Bull KTM factory rider Luciano Benavides has won the fifth stage of the 2026 Dakar rally. A penalty handed out to former leader, Tosha Schareina has pushed Benavides up a position in the overall rankings. The Argentinean is now third, 5'55’’ behind the leader and finds himself on the provisional podium of the Dakar for the very first time in his career. After winning stage 5, he will be tasked with opening the way through the dunes tomorrow, from 8.00 AM.

Luciano Benavides: The pace was really tight, I did really good with navigation, then I got caught from Edgar from behind, but I passed him again, then I had a high speed crash. I don’t know how nothing happen, no broken bones. I restarted, full of sand, then Edgar had a problem with the tyre I think. I kept pushing and pushing, then I arrived to Daniel and Nachos. I pushed all day and it was crazy for me, I think I won the stage. If that is the case, I am super proud, because it wasn’t even clear I could race this Dakar. To fight again for stage wins and the overall, it gives me a lot of motivation.

Full stage results right here: Official Dakar rankings and overall results here: Official Dakar rankings

Some bikers have a knack for riding under the radar and then popping up when you least expect them. It has almost become a speciality for Luciano Benavides, who, for example, became world champion without having won an event in 2023 and who also picked up two consecutive stages on the Dakar last year before finishing at the foot of the podium (in 4th place). The Argentinean repeated a similar feat to set the fastest time over the 356 kilometres of the special, climbing, for the first time in his career, into the top 3 of the overall rankings, 5’55’’ behind his leader in the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team.

Daniel Sanders took advantage of the route to Hail to regain the lead in the rally. With the fourth best time, 5’50’’ behind his team-mate, the title holder may have reaped the rewards of a strategy developed within the KTM clan. He will take starter’s orders on a stage almost entirely made up of dunes in a favourable position with possibly an ally for navigating through the second part of the route.

The special also enabled two other riders to put in their best performances of the week: Nacho Cornejo took 2nd place on his Hero, 3’51’’ behind Benavides, while Bradley Cox finished 7’22’’ after the day’s winner, in 4th place, equalling his best performance in five participations on the Dakar (achieved on stage 1 in 2024).

Each of the two leading teams also had their share of disappointments today. For KTM, the spectacular start enjoyed by Edgar Canet (with victories on the prologue and first stage) seem a distant memory after the problems that disrupted his day, beginning with the foam melting on his rear wheel. Though the time he lost is not yet known, it is clear that he can wave goodbye to competing at the forefront of the rally.

For Monster Energy Honda HRC, Ricky Brabec is displaying first-class consistency, perhaps to the extent that he can lay claim to being team leader, following a major blunder by Tosha Schareina. The Spaniard held his own on the tracks but received a 10-minute penalty for forgetting to leave the bivouac-refuge between the flags. This breach of the rules has dropped him off the provisional podium into 4th place and he will now have to make up a deficit of a dozen minutes on Sanders to be in with a shout for outright triumph. Adrien Van Beveren, who has already experienced difficult days on this edition, hit a new low today after having lost more than half an hour, partially due to a wire that got stuck in his wheel after 88 kilometres. When your luck is out, it really is out…

Ross Branch also had a tough day and is now far off the summit of the overall rankings, 1 hour and 23 minutes behind Sanders.

What happened in stage five

Ross Branch has finished the special 1 hour and 17 minutes behind winner Luciano Benavides. As was the case for other competitors, the foam on the wheel of the Hero MotoSports rider melted after one hundred kilometres. As a result, he drops from 6th to 10th place in the overall rankings, 1 hour and 23 minutes behind race leader Daniel Sanders.

Schareina’s penalty shakes up the overall rankings Tosha Schareina has been slapped with a 10-minute penalty for failing to respect the signs on leaving the bivouac at the start of stage 5. The Spaniard did not pass through the flags, as the rules require, to officialise his start. This sanction has shaken up the overall rankings: Schareina drops from 2nd to 4th place and is now 11 minutes and 59 seconds behind race leader Daniel Sanders.

Preston Campbell, who finished third on the special in the Rally 2 class, has kept hold of the lead in the overall rankings by 20'18’’ over Konrad Dabrowski. The Polish rider has taken advantage of his fine performance (2nd on the stage) to overtake Toni Mulec. The Slovenian completes the overall Rally 2 podium, 20'54’’ behind Campbell and just 36 seconds behind Dabrowski.

Adrien Van Beveren was battling for the top spot on the special when a piece of wire got stuck in his wheel, bringing the Frenchman to a standstill for a long time. He has just crossed the finishing line 32 minutes behind today's winner, Argentina's Luciano Benavide. AVB is 7th in the overall rankings, 52 minutes behind Daniel Sanders' KTM number 1.

Some bikers have a knack for riding under the radar and then popping up when you least expect them. It has almost become a speciality for Luciano Benavides, who, for example, became world champion without having won an event in 2023 and who also picked up two consecutive stages on the Dakar last year before finishing at the foot of the podium (in 4th place). The Argentinean repeated a similar feat to set the fastest time over the 356 kilometres of the special, climbing, for the first time in his career, into the top 3 of the overall rankings, 5’55’’ behind his leader in the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team.

Daniel Sanders took advantage of the route to Hail to regain the lead in the rally. With the fourth best time, 5’50’’ behind his team-mate, the title holder may have reaped the rewards of a strategy developed within the KTM clan. He will take starter’s orders on a stage almost entirely made up of dunes in a favourable position with possibly an ally for navigating through the second part of the route.

The special also enabled two other riders to put in their best performances of the week: Nacho Cornejo took 2nd place on his Hero, 3’51’’ behind Benavides, while Bradley Cox finished 7’22’’ after the day’s winner, in 4th place, equalling his best performance in five participations on the Dakar (achieved on stage 1 in 2024).

Each of the two leading teams also had their share of disappointments today. For KTM, the spectacular start enjoyed by Edgar Canet (with victories on the prologue and first stage) seem a distant memory after the problems that disrupted his day, beginning with the foam melting on his rear wheel. Though the time he lost is not yet known, it is clear that he can wave goodbye to competing at the forefront of the rally.

For Monster Energy Honda HRC, Ricky Brabec is displaying first-class consistency, perhaps to the extent that he can lay claim to being team leader, following a major blunder by Tosha Schareina. The Spaniard held his own on the tracks but received a 10-minute penalty for forgetting to leave the bivouac-refuge between the flags. This breach of the rules has dropped him off the provisional podium into 4th place and he will now have to make up a deficit of a dozen minutes on Sanders to be in with a shout for outright triumph. Adrien Van Beveren, who has already experienced difficult days on this edition, hit a new low today after having lost more than half an hour, partially due to a wire that got stuck in his wheel after 88 kilometres. When your luck is out, it really is out…

Ross Branch also had a tough day and is now far off the summit of the overall rankings, 1 hour and 23 minutes behind Sanders.

The Benavides family had already one in Hail, which the Dakar has been visiting since 2020. It was Kevin who won in 2024, on stage 8. Two years later, his brother Luciano has tasted victory in the same place ahead of Chilean Ignacio Cornejo by 3'51’’ and Australian Daniel Sanders, who finished 5'50’’ behind and returned to the top of the overall rankings. Bradley Cox finished at the foot of the podium (7'22’’ behind) but achieved Sherco’s best result this week. He was followed by the leading Hondas ridden by Tosha Schareina (in 5th place, 9'13’’ behind) and Ricky Brabec (in 6th place, 9'16’’ behind), both of whom opened the way on the special.

Daniel Sanders led the bike category after stages 2 and 3 but was overtaken by Tosha Schareina yesterday. Today, however, he has returned to the top of the overall rankings ahead of the Spaniard by 1'59’’. Ricky Brabec, who was the virtual leader throughout the day, finally finds himself 2’02’’ behind. Luciano Benavides has climbed into fourth place, 5'55’’ behind and should win the stage, a fact that will be confirmed or not once Bradley Cox completes the special.

Ignacio Cornejo (3'46’’ behind) and Bradley Cox (trailing by 5'38’’) have again lost time to Luciano Benavides after 321 km. Unless something unprecedented happens, the Argentinean is more than likely to pick up his sixth stage victory on the Dakar. It would also be KTM’s fourth on the 2026 edition.

The virtual overall rankings in the bike category have again changed after 321 km at the last checkpoint before the finishing line! Danniel Sanders has been quicker than his rivals to take the lead from Tosha Schareina (26’’ behind) and Ricky Brabec (trailing by 50’’). Who will find themselves on top in Hail? All will be answered within 35 kilometres!

After suffering problems with the foam on his rear wheel, Edgar Canet has made repairs and has just completed 265 km. The Spaniard has lost more than one hour and slides down the overall rankings in the bike category, in which he occupied fourth place at the start of the stage.

The Benavides family has already tasted victory in Hail, thanks to Kevin, on stage 8 of the Dakar in 2024. Two years later, his brother is looking well set to win in the same place. The Argentinean has moved into a lead of more than 3 minutes over Bradley Cox (3'02’’) and Ignacio Cornejo (who trails by 3'14’’). Neels Theric is putting in a brilliant performance behind the handlebars of his Kove in overall fourth place on the stage, 5'17’’ behind the current leader.

Bradley Cox has been in 3rd place at the last two checkpoints. The official Sherco rider now trails by 1'54’’ behind the best time posted by Luciano Benavides after 240 km. The South African has not yet finished in the top 10 on a stage this year.

Having led the Rally GP class until 186 km of the special, Edgar Canet has come to a standstill after 240 km of the special. The Spaniard is working on his bike and looks like losing his chances of a third stage victory on the Dakar 2026.

Luciano Benavides has knocked Edgar Canet off the stage lead and now has the best time after 240 km. The Argentinean leads the Spaniard by 1'23’’ and Chilean Ignacio Cornejo by 2'42’’. The 2023 rally-raid world champion is looking well set to take his first stage victory of the year!

It has been confirmed: Ricky Brabec is now opening the way with Tosha Schareina. Like yesterday, the two Honda riders are now gobbling up the bonuses together. The American has moved ahead of the Spaniard in the virtual overall rankings to take first place by 15 seconds, with Daniel Sanders in third 1'12’’ behind.

Ricky Brabec started three minutes behind Tosha Schareina and is closing in on the Spaniard. If he comes to within 15 seconds, he will start to pick up bonuses as an opener in the company of Schareina. All will be revealed after 186 km – don’t forget to activate the Bonus option at the top right hand of your screen!

Halted earlier by a wire stuck in his wheel, Adrien Van Beveren has just completed 118 km. The Frenchman was in the battle for stage victory but is now 28 minutes behind the current leader Edgar Canet.

Bradley Cox has moved into 4th at the refuelling point after 141 km (4’03’’ behind the stage leader). The last Sherco rider on the rally could achieve his first podium finish if he manages to gain time on Luciano Benavides, who is currently 40’’ quicker.

Edgar Canet has increased his lead after 141 km and is now 2'48’’ ahead of Ignacio Cornejo but the Hero MotoSports rider is showing good pace: he has even overtaken Daniel Sanders, Ross Branch et Skyler Howes on the tracks. ‘Nacho’ has not finished in the top two on a special since stage 10 on the 2024 edition on a loop around AlUla.

The first riders have reached the refuelling point after 141 km. This is the moment to get an idea of their speed compared to their rivals, but also to assess the condition of each other's rear tyres, which will be one of the major challenges of the day. In light of these observations, KTM, Honda and Hero may adapt their strategies until the finishing line.

Edgar Canet has passed the mark of 2 minutes in his lead over his closest pursuer after 118 km. Second place is now occupied by Ignacio Cornejo (2'03’’ behind), followed by Luciano Benavides (trailing by 3'21’’) and Sherco’s Bradley Cox (3'41’’ behind). The Spaniard is looking good for a third victory after winning the prologue and stage 1. As a result, he has halved his deficit in the virtual overall rankings, climbing to 6'20’’ from Tosha Schareina.

Adrien Van Beveren seems to have succeeded in removing the wire stuck in his wheel. The Honda rider has resumed the stage but the time lost is likely to deprive him for the battle for stage victory, after being in 2nd place before this incident.

Tosha Schareina and Daniel Sanders have been trading places at the top of the virtual overall bike rankings since the start of the morning! The Australian took the lead after 86 km but has since lost time. The Spaniard is back at the top of the rankings after 118 km, 1'02’’ ahead of Sanders and 1'51’’ in front of Ricky Brabec. Patience is required for the rankings on today's special: the best rider since the start, Edgar Canet, has not yet reached this time checkpoint.

Frenchman Adrien Van Beveren has ground to a halt after 88 km, with a wire stuck in his wheel, and is currently attempting repairs. It is a tough blow for AVB who was enjoying his best beginning to a stage so far on the 2026 edition of the Dakar, with provisional 2nd place after 86 km.

Edgar Canet still leads after 86 km but his closest pursuer is now Adrien Van Beveren, who has moved from 56’’ 43’’ behind the Spaniard. This is the Frenchman’s best start to a stage since the beginning of the race. Rally 2 rider Neels Theric is third overall, 1'27’’ behind, followed by Ignacio Cornejo, who trails by 1'49’’. Next come the KTM bikes of Daniel Sanders (5th, 2'40’’ behind), Bradley Cox (6th, 3'07’’ behind) and Luciano Benavides (7th, 3'08’’ behind). Tosha Schareina trails by 5'43’’ but has picked up 1'23’’ in bonuses, putting him 4'20’’ behind Canet.

Daniel Sanders has gone on the attack! The Australian has been quicker than Tosha Schareina and Ricky Brabec after 86 km, sufficiently quick to take the virtual overall rankings lead from the Spaniard (16’’ behind), while the American trails by 2'38’’.

Skyler Howes trails his Honda team-mates by more than two minutes at the first time checkpoint (4’35’’ behind). On arrival at the marathon-refuge yesterday, the American predicted that he would have a tricky day today and that he would not be the only one: “I tried to look after my tyres because we knew there could be issues, and I think I have a problem with one of them. I think the challenge will be about who can make it across the finish line with their tyres. I believe mine is not in very good condition”. Each biker is obliged to keep their tyres until the day’s finish and they were marked at the technical scrutineering in Yanbu (with 12 for the entire race). The elite riders were therefore unable to change their tyres with other competitors. For example, Tosha Schareina fitted two plastic and one metal clamps to reinforce his damaged rear Metzeler tyre.

Edgar Canet has posted the best time so far among the bikers after 44 km, ahead of his team-mate Luciano Benavides (55’’ behind), Adrien Van Beveren (trailing by 56’’), Ignacio Cornejo (1'08’’ behind) and Daniel Sanders (trailing by 1'35’’). Tosha Schareina is 2'27’’ behind but the Spaniard has accumulated bonuses of 42’’, putting him within 1'45’’ of the Spanish stage leader.