09 Gen JOSEP PEDRÓ WINS STAGE5 OF THE DAKAR RALLY
Chronicle of Josep Pedró, ambassador of ISB sport
The fifth stage, held between Al Ula and Ha’il, proved to be one of the most demanding days so far, but this didn’t deter Josep Pedró, who once again delivered a stellar performance in the 2026 Dakar Rally, securing victory in the Original by Motul category.
Our rider completed the stage with a solid and highly intelligent performance, perfectly managing his pace, navigation, and physical and mechanical fatigue. Josep Pedró demonstrated remarkable consistency, experience, and mental fortitude to overcome a long and selective stage, in which many of his direct rivals suffered technical problems, navigational errors, and significant accumulated fatigue after several days of extreme competition.
With this third consecutive stage win, Josep Pedró strengthens his position in the overall Original by Motul standings, solidifying his place among the strongest riders in the category.
General summary of stage 5 of the Dakar
This stage featured challenging technical sections, deep sand, and difficult navigation. All participants had to read the terrain, make quick decisions, and adapt to each section of the course.
In the car category, Mitch Guthrie Jr. (Ford) took the stage win, leading an impressive Ford 1-2-3 finish and securing his second victory in this Dakar Rally. Despite not winning the stage, Henk Lategan (Toyota) remains in the overall lead, closely followed by Nasser Al-Attiyah and Mattias Ekström. The stage was also marked by Nani Roma’s penalty, which cost him the stage win, and by problems for drivers such as Carlos Sainz and Cristina Gutiérrez.
In the motorcycle category, Luciano Benavides (KTM) crossed the finish line first, winning a highly demanding special stage. Nacho Cornejo and Daniel Sanders completed the stage podium, while overall leaders like Ricky Brabec had to defend their positions after adjustments in the standings. Among the Original by Motul category riders, Josep Pedró shone once again with a stage victory, demonstrating consistency, endurance, and mechanical skill without external assistance.
Other categories, such as Challenger, also saw changes in the lead, with Pau Navarro and Jan Rosa standing out as key players in their respective classes.
Stage 5 of the 2026 Dakar Rally made it clear that endurance, navigation, and vehicle management remain decisive factors. With several favorites affected by technical problems and penalties, the overall standings are tightening daily, promising an even more exciting rally in the coming days.