Guthrie wins Dakar stage three, takes overall lead as Al-Attiyah drops to 10th

SPA

AlUla, January 7, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The Dakar Rally Saudi Arabia 2026 continued on Tuesday with its third stage, organised by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation (SAMF) under the supervision of the Ministry of Sport and running until Jan. 17, according to a statement.

Competitors covered 736 km in the third stage, including 421 km of timed special stage.

American Mitch Guthrie, driving for Ford Racing, won the car category in 4 hours, 4 minutes and 32 seconds, the statement said.

Czech driver Martin Prokop of Orlen Jipocar Team finished second, 2 minutes and 27 seconds behind, while South African Guy Botterill of Toyota Gazoo Racing placed third, 5 minutes and 23 seconds back.

In the overall car standings, Guthrie moved into first place with a total time of 11 hours, 27 minutes and 20 seconds, followed by Prokop 26 seconds behind and Sweden’s Mattias Ekström of Ford Racing 1 minute and 8 seconds off the lead, according to the statement.

Qatari driver Nasser Al-Attiyah dropped to 10th overall, 11 minutes and 39 seconds behind the leader, it added.

In the Challenger class, Dutch driver Puck Klaassen of KTM X-BOW powered by G Rally Team won the stage in 4 hours, 28 minutes and 25 seconds, the statement said.

Saudi driver Yasir Seaidan of Nasser Racing Team finished second, 8 minutes and 25 seconds back, and retained the overall Challenger lead, while Spain’s Pau Navarro of Odyssey Academy by BBR was third, 11 minutes and 18 seconds behind.