Dakar Rally 2026: Stage 9 Delivers Classic Marathon Challenge in the Saudi Desert

Stage 9 of the Dakar Rally 2026 turned into a proper endurance test as riders faced 418 competitive kilometres under Marathon Refuge rules. With no team support waiting at the finish, every decision mattered. The route mixed rocks, dunes and fast sections, forcing riders to balance speed with survival. Navigation errors carried heavy penalties, while mechanical sympathy became key across the long desert run. This stage also opened the second marathon leg, meaning riders had to think beyond just today’s result. Stage 9 was classic Dakar: long hours in the saddle, changing terrain, and small mistakes turning into big time losses before the bivouac lights finally appeared, and the desert reminded everyone why Dakar never forgives hesitation.

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For Hero MotoSports, the focus was on getting both bikes to the finish. Ross Branch ended the day in P15, while Nacho Cornejo crossed the line in P19. The positions did not tell the full story, as Stage 9 punished even small errors across its long and varied terrain.

Cornejo’s run took a hit early after missing a roadbook note, costing him around 17 minutes. Instead of pushing too hard, he settled into a controlled rhythm and focused on finishing the stage clean. Over such a long distance, damage limitation mattered more than chasing stage positions.

Branch enjoyed a solid navigation run until a fall near the refuelling zone damaged his bike. With no assistance allowed, he fixed what he could and rode on, showing the kind of grit Dakar demands. Both riders spent the night in the desert working together to prepare the bike ahead of Stage 10, which heads towards Bisha.

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In the wider field, Tosha Schareina took the motorcycle stage win with a clean and measured ride. The car category saw Eryk Goczał win for Energylandia Rally Team.