The official figures

January 2 ^nd 2026 - 23:50 [GMT + 3]

Dakar

On completion of the administrative and technical scrutineering, 317 vehicles have been approved to participate in the 48th edition of the Dakar, amounting to a total of 564 riders, drivers and navigators, representing 49 nationalities. 115 motorbikes have been invited to take starter’s orders for the prologue on Saturday morning (15 Rally GP, 100 Rally 2, including 26 Original by Motul), as well as 72 cars in the Ultimate class, 7 in the Stock class, 37 in the Challenger class, 41 in the SSV category and 45 trucks.

*** Dakar Classic For the 6th edition of the Dakar Classic, 97 vehicles will take starter’s orders for the race of consistency, which is also contested on dedicated routes: 75 cars and 22 trucks carrying a total of 214 competitors.

*** Mission 1000 7 vehicles are taking part on dedicated routes in the Mission 1000 challenge, which is reserved for vehicles powered by alternative fuel or energy sources: 6 motorbikes and 1 truck.  

*** Saudi Next Gen 5 SSV crews have been selected to take part in the academy.

*** In total, the Dakar bivouac is made up of 787 competitors riding or driving 421 vehicles enrolled in one or another of the rally’s categories (excluding Saudi Next Gen).

The podium of nationalities 1.    France (188 competitors) 2.    Spain (106 competitors) 3.    Italy (68 competitors)

*** W2RC 182 vehicles ridden or driven by 253 competitors are enrolled in the first leg of the 2026 season’s FIA-FIM W2RC: 109 motorbikes (9 Rally GP, 100 Rally 2) and 71 cars (34 Ultimate, 5 Stocks, 18 Challenger, 14 SSV).