Dakar Saudi Arabia 2026 Withdrawals Reshape Competition As Champions Retire

The Dakar Rally 2026 in Saudi Arabia is seeing heavy early attrition, highlighted by the withdrawal of defending champion Yazeed Al Rajhi. Multiple issues have removed several leading competitors across categories, raising safety concerns and reshaping expectations for the rest of the event.

Al Rajhi, driving for Overdrive Racing, pulled out after suffering repeated tyre punctures that cost substantial time on several stages. These timed sections crossed varied terrain in multiple regions of the Kingdom, including AlUla, and the delays left no realistic chance of defending last year’s Dakar title.

The motorcycle field has taken the hardest hit so far, with a series of riders unable to continue during the early stages. Several withdrawals followed accidents or technical problems that caused serious injuries or left machines too damaged to repair within the strict Dakar Rally 2026 schedule.

Spanish rider Lorenzo Santolino of Sherco Rally Factory was first among the notable bike exits, leaving after his machine sustained irreparable damage. Santolino’s teammate Harith Noah from India also withdrew and required urgent surgery, underlining the physical demands and medical risks facing Dakar Rally 2026 competitors in the bike category.

In the truck category, a 4x4 crew featuring Saudi driver Bader Albarrak, alongside French teammates Marco Piana and Paco Fernandez, left the rally without explaining the decision. Organisers reported no accidents for this truck entry, and no injuries were linked to the team’s withdrawal from Dakar Rally 2026.

Spanish racers Raul Pascual and Marco Antonio Cabrera of Pedregà Team also departed the event under circumstances that have not been detailed publicly. Their exit, added to the departure of defending champion Yazeed Al Rajhi, has contributed to a notably open competitive picture in Dakar Rally 2026.

Dakar Rally 2026 crashes and injuries among international riders

German driver Daniel Schroder of PS Laser Racing retired after a rollover accident badly damaged the vehicle. The crash prevented Schroder from starting later stages of Dakar Rally 2026, despite no further details of injuries being reported for the crew following the incident.

French rider Nicolas Horeaux of Nomade Racing was forced out during the first stage after sustaining several fractures to the shoulder and pelvis. Spain’s Ricardo Lastra of Old Friends Rally also fell from the bike but is described as in stable condition and out of danger after leaving Dakar Rally 2026 early.

Britain’s James Hillier of Muc-Off Racing withdrew with an arm injury, while Slovakian rider Stefan Svitko of Slovnaft Rally suffered a right shoulder injury in a crash on the opening stage. Both riders ended their participation ahead of schedule, adding to the growing Dakar Rally 2026 casualty list.

The seventh edition of Dakar Saudi Arabia continues across a mix of demanding desert tracks and varied landscapes, including routes around AlUla. With last year’s champion already out and several rivals gone, the remaining stages of Dakar Rally 2026 are set to produce a new overall winner.

With inputs from SPA