Campbell takes Rally2 lead amid Dakar surprises

Preston Campbell has seized the lead of the Rally2 class at this year’s Dakar Rally as the unpredictable nature of the event threw up a host of challenges today.

As the rally reached the midpoint of the first week, riders faced a gruelling 417 km timed stage across the rocky plateaus and sand-laden canyons near AlUla – terrain that demanded absolute focus to avoid mishaps on the way to the marathon camp.

With no mechanical assistance available once they reached the bivouac, Monster Energy Honda HRC riders Martim Ventura and Preston Campbell had to strike a delicate balance: maintain pace while managing risk to protect their podium positions.

Campbell, on his Dakar debut, had already impressed with a solid third-place finish yesterday. Today, he repeated the feat on his Honda CRF450RX RALLY, putting him firmly at the front of the Rally2 class overall with a commanding lead of nearly nineteen minutes.  His consistency makes him a serious contender to watch in 2026.

Ventura, meanwhile, experienced the harsh realities of Dakar firsthand.  After securing a stage victory and consistent runner-up finishes so far, the rally’s unpredictability struck again.  Following the withdrawal of his main rival, Michael Docherty, Ventura suffered a mechanical issue.  Showing remarkable determination, he repaired his bike and limped to the finish, over two hours behind his teammate.  This setback dropped him from second overall to ninth, leaving him with an hour and a half to claw back on Campbell.

At the marathon camp, Ventura will tackle bike repairs before dinner and a night under the stars, alongside all other competitors.  Both riders will need their rest before the second day of the marathon stage resumes tomorrow, with 394 km awaiting them as they make their way to the north-western city of Hail.