DAKAR 2026

Trucks: Martin Macik triumphs once again

Martin Macik / Frantisek Tomasek / David Svanda (Mm Technology Iveco Dakar Evo4) won today's 3m18s Trucks stage ahead of Kay Huzink / Rob Buursen / Gerrit Schoneveld (Renault C460) with Martin Van Den Brink / Rijk Mouw / Peter Willemsen (Iveco Powerstar) in third at 4m01s.

Vaiotas Zala / Paulo Fiuza / Max Van Grol (Iveco Powerstar) were fifth, and overall the Czechs doubled their advantage over the Dutch. Van Den Brink is now 8m29s behind Macik with Ales Loprais / David Kripal / Jiri Stross (Iveco Powerstar) maintaining their position, but falling further behind the leaders. He is now 54m25s behind when he finished yesterday with 30m02s.

Zala and Fiuza maintained the fourth place, but they added 13 minutes to the distance separating them from the leader, which is now 55m36s. However, they are now only one minute away from the lowest place on the podium, currently held by Ales Loprais. At the front, the fight seems increasingly between Macik and Van den Brink, but for now it is still too early for such predictions…

Martin Macik took the overall lead yesterday after his first victory in the 2026 Dakar edition, and today he repeated the feat, extending his advantage over Mitchel van den Brink. Behind this duo, Ales Loprais occupied third place at 30m02s, while Vaidotas Zala followed further behind at 46m52s, which promised a good duel. And so it was…

Richard de Groot took the lead of the special stage after 100 km, overtaking Martin Macik and Mitchel van den Brink, who started 20 minutes earlier. The Dutchman led Macik by 3m10s and Loprais finished 3m21s behind, with van den Brink in fourth at 3m55s.

After 125 km, De Groot extended his lead to almost 3 minutes over van den Brink, with Macik in third at 3:04 in his "Joseph" truck and Loprais in fourth, less than 10 seconds behind the defending champion.

De Groot maintained his lead after 166 km, but only 41s ahead of van den Brink and 54s ahead of Macik. Loprais closed in at 1m30s, signaling a titanic battle between the Dakar giants.

Mitchel van den Brink intensified the pressure and dethroned Richard de Groot after 237 km, taking the lead at 1:14 over Martin Macik. Loprais moved up to third at 3:03, while De Groot dropped to fourth at 3:14.

Macik and Huzink in the fight for the podium...After At kilometer 271, Macik reduced the gap to 55 seconds over van den Brink. Loprais dropped to 3:30 and De Groot to 4:30. Kay Huzink completed the top 5 with 5:48, while his uncle Gert Huzink abandoned due to a mechanical failure at kilometer 19.

Martin Macik lived up to his status as reigning champion and secured his second victory in the edition with an impressive final sprint. Kay Huzink overtook van den Brink for second place, relegating the Dutchman to third.

The victory allowed Macik significant gains in the general classification, doubling his lead to 8:29 over van den Brink. The Czech reinforced his dominance in the trucks category, consolidating the title fight against his main Dutch rival.

SSV: Kyle Chaney (Can-Am) secured his first career victory...

Rookie Kyle Chaney (Can-Am) secured his first career victory, finishing 51 seconds faster than teammate Chaleco López. The top ten was dominated by Portuguese drivers. The best were the duo João Monteiro/Nuno Monteiro (Can-Am) in fifth, 5 minutes and 10 seconds behind the winner, with Gonçalo Guerreiro (Loeb Fraymedia Motorsport RZR Factory Racing/Polaris) in seventh and Hélder Rodrigues/Gonçalo Reis (Santag Racing/Polaris) in tenth.

Brock Heger continues to lead the overall standings, now with a 37 minute and 36 second margin over his Loeb Fraymedia Motorsport RZR Factory Racing teammate, Xavier de Soultrait. João Monteiro/Nuno Morais are the best Portuguese drivers, in fourth and just outside the podium. However, they are more than 58 minutes behind the leader.

Lucas del Rio (BBR Motorsport/Taurus) was the strongest in the Challenger class, 24 seconds ahead of Pau Navarro (Odyssei Academy by BBR/Taurus). You have to go down to 14th place to find the best Portuguese drivers in the race, the duo Rui Carneiro/Fausto Mota (MMP). Pau Navarro is now at the top of the class, overtaking Yasir Seaidan (Nasser Racing Team/Taurus), who is now second by 4:26 seconds. Pedro Gonçalves/Hugo Magalhães (BBR Motorsport/Taurus) are the best of the Portuguese contingent, in ninth place.

Martin Macik (MM Technology) reinforced his lead in the truck classification with a stage win, 3m18 seconds ahead of rookie Kay Huzink (Kuipers Jongbloed Hybrid/Renault) – despite being penalized by one minute. Navigated by Portuguese driver Paulo Fiúza, Vaidotas Zala (Team de Rooy/Iveco) finished fifth. Macik leads the classification by 8m29 seconds over Mitchel van den Brink (MM Technology), and Zala is fourth, just over a minute from the podium.

by Autonews