After two weeks of relentless competition across Saudi Arabia, Defender Rally completed its first Dakar Rally with a result that immediately reshaped the Stock category narrative. On debut at the world’s most demanding rally-raid, the team secured first and second overall in the Stock class at the 2026 Dakar Rally, marking a milestone entry into the World Rally-Raid Championship.
Rokas Baciuška and Oriol Vidal claimed the Stock class victory with a total time of 58h 09’ 45’’, leading a strong Defender Rally presence throughout the event. Teammates Sara Price and Sean Berriman finished second, while Stéphane Peterhansel and Mika Metge completed the rally in fourth. Across the 13 stages, Defender Rally crews recorded a combined 1-2-3 result on ten occasions, underlining consistency rather than a single decisive moment.
The final classification was sealed during Stage 13, where Baciuška and Vidal topped the Stock class timing, followed closely by Peterhansel and Metge, with Price and Berriman completing the stage podium. Over the full rally distance, the three Defender Dakar D7X-R entries covered approximately 24,000 kilometres through dunes, rocky plateaus and desert corridors, completing one of the most demanding editions of the Dakar in recent years.
The 2026 Dakar Rally also marked the opening round of the 2026 World Rally-Raid Championship, positioning Defender Rally immediately within the title picture for the season ahead. The event served as the first competitive test of the programme under championship conditions, with Stock class regulations placing a strong emphasis on durability, reliability and consistency across long-distance stages.
Following the Dakar, Defender Rally’s campaign continues in the 2026 World Rally-Raid Championship with the bp Ultimate Rally-Raid Portugal, scheduled to take place from 17 to 22 March 2026.
