South Africans Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings maintained their overall lead in the car category at the 2026 Dakar Rally on Thursday, despite a challenging day that saw Ford crews dominate the fifth stage results.
The day marked another swing in Dakar’s ongoing battle between early and late starters, with Spanish Ford Raptor crew Nani Roma and Álex Haro claiming victory after starting 15th. However, they were later relegated to second place behind Americans Mitch Guthrie and Kellon Walch due to a penalty.
Czech privateers Martin Prokop and Viktor Chytka completed a Ford 1-2-3 finish, ahead of Brazilian Lucas Moraes and Dennis Zenz’s Dacia Sandrider. Ford’s dominance continued with additional Raptor crews filling the top positions on what organisers called an “alternative day” for the American manufacturer.
South African Guy Botterill, partnered with Spaniard Oriol Mena in an SVR Hilux, delivered an impressive performance, climbing from 29th position to finish ninth.
Road-opening challenges
Despite having to open the road on virgin terrain — a significant disadvantage in rally raid — Lategan and navigator Brett Cummings managed their position expertly. They haemorrhaged 12 minutes en route to 16th place on the stage but emerged with their overall lead intact.
“Through all that and despite opening the road on virgin terrain, Lategan and expert navigator Cummings raced home without issues,” according to race reports.
Wednesday’s stage winners found the going tough, with former leaders struggling in the altered running order that characterises Dakar’s unpredictable nature.
Cox climbs in motorcycle battle
In the motorcycle category, KTM continued their 2026 dominance with Luciano Benavides taking the stage victory, while Daniel Sanders moved back into the overall lead.
Durban’s Bradley Cox enjoyed his best performance of the rally, finishing fourth on the stage and climbing to eighth overall on his Factory Sherco. However, it proved a difficult day for Motswana Ross Branch, who battled wheel issues on his Hero motorcycle and slipped to 10th overall.
Spanish rookie Édgar Canet initially led the stage before mechanical problems forced him to stop, eventually finishing well down the order.
Strategic battles ahead
With Friday’s 340km run to Riyadh preceding Saturday’s rest day, the rally heads into its second week with intriguing tactical battles developing. The consistent performers — including Germans Mattias Ekström and Emil Bergkvist, and Spaniards Carlos Sainz and Lucas Cruz — remain within striking distance of the lead.
South African Champion Saood Variawa, partnered with Frenchman François Cazalet in an SVR Gazoo Toyota Hilux, continues to place consistently within the top ten, sitting within 20 minutes of the fluctuating race lead.
The rest day in Riyadh will provide crucial preparation time before the rally’s final week, where the strategic battle between alternating-day specialists and consistent finishers promises to intensify.
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