TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa emerged from the second Marathon Stage of the Dakar Rally 2026 with resilience intact and momentum building, as Stage 10 brought two demanding days without full service to a close in Bisha. Across dunes, fast sandy tracks and the accumulating fatigue that defines this phase of the rally, TGRSA crews balanced pace with preservation to remain firmly in contention as the event edges towards its conclusion.
The standout performance of the day came from Guy Botterill and Oriol Mena, who delivered their strongest run of the second week to secure a top-five stage finish. After a difficult opening leg to the marathon stage, the pair capitalised on a favourable road position and showed markedly improved rhythm through the dunes. Their fifth place on Stage 10, 11 minutes and 42 seconds off the winning time, was a clear reward for a clean and controlled approach over the demanding terrain.
That result lifts Botterill and Mena to 11th overall, just over an hour behind the rally lead. More importantly, it signals growing confidence and consistency as Dakar enters its final stretch, with the duo carrying valuable momentum into the remaining stages.
Saood Variawa and Francois Cazalet also produced a measured drive that underlined their maturity in managing adversity. The pair endured a mixed day, losing time earlier in the stage before navigating a complex section that caught out several competitors. By limiting mistakes and regaining positions where others faltered, they ensured the overall picture remained positive.
Late drama arrived in the form of a power steering issue over the final kilometres, forcing careful management to reach the finish. Despite the setback, Variawa and Cazalet completed Stage 10 in 15th place, 25 minutes and 46 seconds down, and crucially retained their position inside the overall top ten. They now sit 10th overall, just over an hour from the lead, with their Dakar campaign very much alive.
For Joao Ferreira and Filipe Palmeiro, Stage 10 was about perseverance rather than position. Still dealing with damage sustained during the opening leg of the marathon, the crew showed flashes of encouraging pace in the dunes but were ultimately delayed further by the lingering effects of earlier issues. With the car demanding careful handling, their priority remained bringing it home safely after two of the rally’s most punishing days. They completed the stage outside the leading positions and are classified 21st overall as the rally moves into its closing phase.
With the second Marathon Stage now complete, the focus shifts to endurance and concentration. Stage 11, running from Bisha to Al Henakiyah, is set to be one of the longest days of Dakar Rally 2026. Crews will face a 346-kilometre special stage framed by extensive liaison sections, pushing the total distance for the day close to 900 kilometres.
Predominantly dirt tracks, interspersed with sandy stretches and stony terrain, will test tyre management, focus and physical stamina as much as outright speed. With the rally drawing to a close on Saturday, 17 January, back in the coastal town of Yanbu, every kilometre now carries added weight.
For TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa, Stage 10 reinforced a familiar Dakar truth: survival, smart decision-making and controlled aggression remain the keys to success. As the final chapters of Dakar Rally 2026 approach, the team remains firmly in the fight.
