It is necessary to take a brief look back to just ten days ago. In the pre-race predictions, most observers logically expected a duel between Daniel Sanders and Tosha Schareina, the two riders who clearly dominated the entire 2025 season. Luciano Benavides’ name was mentioned among the outsiders.
Sometimes, the outsiders come to the fore and this is what may well be happening now, thanks to another magic day from the Argentinean, who last year showed that he was capable of winning when opening the way and who today repeated this feat on the fortnight’s longest stage. On completion of a faultless solo 483-km adventure, he gobbled up all the bonuses on offer (7’28’’), won his third stage of the 2026 edition and took the lead in the overall rankings, 10’’ ahead of his Australian team-mate, showing he has moved up a grade.
Of course, the gaps apparent in the overall rankings do not indicate that he has a clear path to Yanbu. The number 1, with the day’s second time and a tiny deficit, still has the right to remain confident. Though behind Sanders, the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team riders will still be wary of the threat posed by the Monster Energy Honda HRC squad, particularly from Ricky Brabec, of course, 4’47’’ behind the Argentinean leader on the 3rd step of the provisional podium, and possibly from Tosha Schareina, in 4th position but not totally out of the game in spite of a 20-minute deficit.
In the Rally 2 class, Mike Docherty's misfortunes, probably the result of a crash at the very end of the special, benefited Neels Theric, who was the fastest in the class for the third time this year behind the handlebars of his Kove. In the overall rankings, American Preston Campbell remains in the lead, but his advantage has been reduced by two minutes by Toni Mulec, who is now 9'36’’ behind.