The Dakar, this marathon of speed and endurance, has resumed its course after a day of rest, and what a spectacle it was! Departing from Riyadh to Wadi Ad-Dawasir, the competitors faced a special stage of 462 km that tested their consistency and their ability to navigate without error. The drivers, like modern gladiators on their sandy arena, battled with palpable intensity, hinting at plot twists worthy of the greatest action films.
A high-tension special stage
The first hours of this stage were marked by a fierce duel among several contenders for victory. Mathieu Serradori initially took the lead, closely followed by Mattias Ekström and Henk Lategan, who, with his Toyota Hilux, seemed to fly like an arrow over the dunes. The starting position played a crucial role, and Nasser Al-Attiyah, the overall leader, had to open the road, a significant challenge that did not fail to catch up with him.
The Dacias, on the other hand, navigated against the current, bracing themselves against determined opponents. The pace was frenetic, but everyone knew that navigation remained the key factor in this jungle of dust and sand.
Lategan loses the stage in the final kilometres
Henk Lategan seemed well on his way to taking his revenge after losing his leadership during the marathon stage. For a long time, he was the fastest of the day, flirting with the top spot. But in a tragic twist worthy of a Hollywood script, he lost more than eight minutes just before the finish line. The mystery remains as to the reasons for this failure, but his Toyota Hilux crossed the line with visible scars.
The stage victory ultimately went to Mattias Ekström, who achieved the feat of securing his second stage win of the 2026 edition. With a lead of 4 minutes and 27 seconds over Joao Ferreira (Toyota) and 4 minutes and 55 seconds over Mitch Guthrie, the Swede proved he was hungry for victory. Nasser Al-Attiyah, meanwhile, finished 7 minutes and 24 seconds behind, still maintaining his lead in the overall standings.
The suspense remains as we head towards the longest special stage of this edition. Mattias Ekström, now second at 4 minutes and 47 seconds behind the Qatari, knows he has a strong card to play.
Provisional overall standings after stage 7 (Cars)
The standings are tight: Nasser Al-Attiyah remains in the lead, closely followed by Mattias Ekström and Henk Lategan, who is now third at 7 minutes and 21 seconds. Nani Roma, having won the fifth stage earlier in the day, is fourth at 8 minutes and 25 seconds, while Sébastien Loeb is clawing back precious seconds to reduce the gap to Al-Attiyah, now at 15 minutes and 39 seconds.
The big move from KTM
In the motorcycle camp, Daniel Sanders once again proved his worth. Starting sixth in this special stage, he was the fastest of the day, winning with a lead of 4 minutes and 47 seconds over Edgar Canet and 4 minutes and 57 seconds over Adrien van Beveren. The Frenchman expressed his satisfaction: “It was very, very fast and the bike is performing excellently.” His suspension adjustments have clearly paid off.
Daniel Sanders, the overall leader, has extended his lead despite his position as the opener, while Ricky Brabec continues to pose a threat with his Honda. The leading trio is tightening, and every minute counts in this relentless race.
Provisional overall standings after stage 7 (Motorcycles)
The battle for the podium promises to be thrilling as the competition between KTM and Honda riders intensifies. As dawn breaks on a new crucial stage, each rider knows that the slightest misstep can be costly. Indeed, at the Dakar, victory is fought for as much on the sand as in the mind!
