After the Riyadh rest day, the second half of the Dakar Rally 2026 resumed with renewed intensity. Stages 7 to 13 pushed competitors from central Saudi Arabia back toward the Red Sea, combining vast dune seas, fast desert tracks, and long endurance days that ultimately decided the overall classifications. Here is a clear, stage-by-stage account of what unfolded after the break.
Stage 7 — 11 January | Riyadh → Al Duwadimi
The rally restarted on 11 January with a demanding stage south-west of Riyadh. After a day of recovery, crews were immediately tested by navigation-heavy terrain and broken tracks that punished overconfidence. Many leading teams focused on rhythm rather than outright speed, knowing the Empty Quarter lay ahead. Small time gaps at the front showed how evenly matched the top contenders remained.
Stage 8 — 12 January | Al Duwadimi → Al Duwadimi (loop)
A loop stage around Al Duwadimi brought variety: fast gravel sections early, followed by tighter navigation zones and soft sand later in the day. This stage saw strategic riding and driving, with several leaders opting to manage pace to avoid opening the road in later dune stages. Minor mechanical issues and navigation errors reshuffled the top ten but left the overall battle finely balanced.
Stage 9 — 13 January | Al Duwadimi → Haradh
Stage 9 marked the approach to the Empty Quarter and was one of the longest and most exhausting days of the rally. Extended special-stage kilometres tested fuel management, tyres, and concentration. Time losses here were more about endurance than speed, and teams with consistent execution gained valuable minutes over rivals who struggled with fatigue and errors late in the stage.
Stage 10 — 14 January | Haradh → Shubaytah (Empty Quarter)
The rally entered the Empty Quarter on 14 January, a defining moment of Dakar 2026. Massive dunes dominated the stage, with limited reference points and constant changes in sand texture. Several competitors lost significant time after getting stuck or misjudging dune crests. Those with strong sand-reading skills emerged as serious overall contenders by the end of the day.
Stage 11 — 15 January | Shubaytah → Shubaytah (Empty Quarter loop)
This loop stage stayed entirely within the Empty Quarter and delivered classic Dakar drama. Endless dunes forced competitors to maintain momentum while avoiding mistakes that could cost hours. The stage rewarded patience and experience, with leaders consolidating advantages rather than attacking recklessly. By now, overall strategies shifted from chasing stage wins to protecting cumulative time.
Stage 12 — 16 January | Shubaytah → Yanbu
Leaving the Empty Quarter, Stage 12 combined dunes with faster desert tracks as the rally headed west toward Yanbu. The change in terrain allowed some competitors to claw back time, but fatigue was evident across all categories. Mechanical reliability became critical, with teams nursing vehicles carefully to avoid late retirements.
Stage 13 — 17 January | Yanbu → Yanbu (final stage)
The Dakar Rally concluded on 17 January with a short but symbolic final stage around Yanbu. While overall positions were largely set, competitors still pushed to secure final standings and celebrate finishing one of motorsport’s toughest challenges. The atmosphere was less about risk and more about completion, as survivors of two punishing weeks crossed the final timing line.
A Rally Decided by Endurance
Stages 7 to 13 confirmed that Dakar 2026 was not won in a single spectacular attack but through consistency, smart navigation, and survival across Saudi Arabia’s harshest landscapes. The second week separated contenders from finishers, proving once again that Dakar is as much a test of resilience as it is of speed.