TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa (TGRSA) brought the second Marathon Stage of Dakar Rally 2026 to a close on Stage 10, as crews emerged from two days without full service and made their way to the bivouac in Bisha. The stage rewarded a clean approach through dunes and fast sandy tracks, while fatigue and car management continued to shape the outcome.
Guy Botterill and Oriol Mena (218) produced their strongest run of the second week so far, finishing Stage 10 in fifth position, 11:42 off the winning time. After a difficult opening day to the marathon, the pair benefitted from a favourable road position and showed improved pace through the dunes. Botterill and Mena now sit 11th overall, 1:14:43 from the lead, with momentum building heading into the final stages.
Saood Variawa and Francois Cazalet (213) experienced a mixed day but limited the damage well. After losing time earlier in the stage, the pair encountered a section where navigation caught out several crews, allowing them to recover positions.
A power steering issue over the final kilometres required careful management to reach the finish. Variawa and Cazalet ended the stage 15th, 25:46 down, and hold 10th overall at the end of Stage 10, 1:09:06 from the lead.
Joao Ferreira and Filipe Palmeiro (240) continued to deal with the consequences of damage sustained during the opening leg of the marathon. Despite showing encouraging pace in the dunes, further delays left them completing Stage 10 outside the top positions. Their focus remained on bringing the car home safely after two demanding days, and they are classified 21st overall following the stage.
With the second Marathon Stage now complete, attention turns to the closing phase of Dakar Rally 2026. Stage 11 will take crews from Bisha to Al Henakiyah and represents one of the longest days of the rally. The route includes a special stage of 346 kilometres, framed by extensive liaison sections that bring the total distance close to 900 kilometres for the day.
Competitors will face predominantly dirt tracks, interspersed with sandy sections and stony terrain, placing renewed emphasis on concentration, tyre management and endurance as the rally edges closer to its conclusion.
The rally will draw to a close on Saturday, 17 January, back where it started in the coastal town of Yanbu.
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