The Dakar Rally’s Dramatic Opening Stage: A Tale of Triumph and Unexpected Twists
The 2026 Dakar Rally kicked off with a bang, delivering a stage that was nothing short of thrilling—and, for some, utterly heartbreaking. But here's where it gets controversial... Was it sheer skill, strategic brilliance, or just a stroke of luck that handed Guillaume de Mevius the win over long-time leader Mattias Ekstrom? Let’s dive into the action and uncover the details that most spectators might have missed.
The first stage, a grueling 305km stretch around Yanbu in Saudi Arabia, saw Ford’s Mattias Ekstrom dominate for much of the day. By the second checkpoint at 70km, Ekstrom had seized the lead, extending his advantage to over a minute in his Ford Raptor. It seemed like a done deal—until it wasn’t. And this is the part most people miss... With about 120km to go, Ekstrom’s closest challenger, Guillaume de Mevius, was just 53 seconds behind. But then, de Mevius vanished from the leaderboard due to a transponder issue, leaving Ekstrom comfortably ahead of Nasser Al-Attiyah by 1m20s at the penultimate checkpoint.
However, the final 45km stretch—a treacherous mix of dunes, sand, and rocky terrain—turned the tables dramatically. Ekstrom’s lead evaporated as he plummeted down the order, paving the way for de Mevius to snatch a surprise victory by 40 seconds. This marked Mini’s second consecutive opening-stage win, but it left many wondering: What really happened to Ekstrom in those final kilometers?
Dacia’s Nasser Al-Attiyah staged a remarkable comeback, securing second place after a slow start that had him outside the top 10 at the first checkpoint. Martin Prokop finished third in his customer Ford Raptor, while Ekstrom slipped to fourth, hindered by a 10-second speeding penalty. Marek Goczal rounded out the top five in his Toyota Hilux, just ahead of factory driver Guy Botterill.
Here’s where opinions start to diverge... Was Ekstrom’s late-stage collapse due to mechanical issues, driver error, or simply the unforgiving nature of the Dakar? Some argue that the terrain was too unpredictable, while others believe Ekstrom pushed too hard too early. What do you think? Let us know in the comments below!
The day was also tough for Toyota’s factory team, with their drivers finishing 16th, 17th, and 18th. Reigning champion Yazeed Al-Rajhi faced a disastrous start, dropping 12 minutes and incurring a 16-minute penalty for missing a waypoint and speeding, leaving him outside the top 20.
Top 10 Results After Stage 1:
1. Guillaume de Mévius (Mini) - 3:07.49
2. Nasser Al-Attiyah (Dacia) +00.40
3. Martin Prokop (Ford) +01.27
4. Mattias Ekström (Ford) +01.38
5. Marek Goczal (Toyota) +01.38
6. Carlos Sainz (Ford) +01.54
7. Guy Botterill (Toyota) +02.03
8. Nani Roma (Ford) +02.37
9. Mitch Guthrie (Ford) +02.50
10. Sébastien Loeb (Dacia) +03.01
As the dust settles on this dramatic opening stage, one thing is clear: the 2026 Dakar Rally is shaping up to be a battle of wits, endurance, and sheer luck. Who will emerge victorious? Only time will tell. But one thing’s for sure—this is a race you won’t want to miss!
