What challenges will you wait for this time?

The 2026 Dakar will begin on January 3. In Yanbi, and will finish January 17th. in the same port city. During the two weeks, participants will overcome over 8 thousand. km distance and 13 sections, with a total length of about 5 thousand. km that extend through the most complex reliefs.

Innovations and challenges

The 2026 Dakar organizers present the concept of two marathon stages. The stages will be called « Bivouac Refuge », during which crews will spend the night in a separated bivacle without any external technical assistance – a test of special preparation.

However, Dakar will bring more positive news this year – the stony sections of the track will be equipped with special technical assistance stops where athletes will be able to change spare tires. Such so -called Pit stop Points can become decisive in preserving the technique in extremely difficult places.

These stops will be particularly important, as as much as 70 percent. The entire rally tracks will be completely new – they have not yet overcome even the most experienced Dakar racers.

Photo by Sender Senders

Even the most experienced will be missing.

« Gurtam Toyota Gazoo Racing Baltics pilot Benedict Vanagas admitted after the presentation that the upcoming Dakar would not be easy:

« We always look forward to announcing the coming Dakar news. They help in preparation. The challenge of 2026 will be logistically more comfortable than this year – start and finish at Yanbi port. Organizers plan even more complex navigation. David Castera, current racing director, has been a former factory team’s leader in the past. For players. Pit stoP stops in stony sections get backup tires, ”said a 14-year-old racer.

2026 Dakar promises no discounts-it will be a real test for even the most experienced athletes.

The start of the race is January 3, in Yanbi, and the finish is January 17th. in the same port city.