BISHA: The Saudi Next Gen Program has selected drivers Hamza Bakhashab and Abdullah Alshegawi and their navigators Raed Alassaf and Fahad Alamr as the Kingdom’s representatives for the Dakar Rally 2026.
The Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation, and the Saudi Motorsport Company, through the Saudi Next Gen Program under the supervision of the Ministry of Sport, announced the selection of the two crews on Tuesday.
Their selection follows great performances and relevant progress during rigorous training and competitions, marking a significant step in the Vision 2030 initiative to support and develop Saudi talents in motorsports.
The selection process involved rigorous evaluations, including theoretical and practical training sessions as well as field tests led by motorsports experts.
The program was conducted under the direct supervision of Italian driver Edo Mossi, a four-time Dakar finisher, alongside program ambassadors Yazeed Al-Rajhi, Yasir Bin Seaidan, and Mishaal Al-Ghneim.
Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal, the chairman of the SAMF and the Saudi Motorsport Company, said: “We are proud today to announce the winners of the Saudi Next Gen Program, who will have the opportunity of participating in the Dakar Rally Saudi Arabia 2026, one of the most challenging and renowned races in the world.”
He added that the initiative was not merely a competition but part of Saudi Vision 2030, adding: “It is an opportunity to prepare a new generation of exceptional Saudi drivers who will lead motorsports in the Kingdom to new horizons.”
The four talents are to undergo comprehensive preparation, including specialized training on desert terrains, guidance from a seasoned technical team, and logistical support from the organizing entities.
They will also compete in national-level championships to refine their racing skills and build competitive experience, ensuring they are fully prepared for the Dakar Rally.
The announcement aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to advance motorsports and nurture a new generation of Saudi drivers to compete globally.
The Saudi Next Gen Program is a key initiative aimed at strengthening the Kingdom’s position as a premier destination for motorsports while inspiring Saudi youngsters to pursue their dreams in the field.
The program featured five nominated drivers who participated in rigorous training sessions in Bisha between Dec. 31 and Jan. 5, under the guidance of Mossi. The program included practicing with Yamaha SSV vehicles and navigating five stages designed to simulate desert rally terrain.
Saudi Next Gen Program selects 2 crews for Dakar Rally 2026
https://arab.news/c65nq
Saudi Next Gen Program selects 2 crews for Dakar Rally 2026
- Hamza Bakhashab, Abdullah Alshegawi, Raed Alassaf, Fahad Alamr to represent Saudi Arabia
- Program conducted under direct supervision of Italian driver Edo Mossi
Lategan leads the Dakar, champion Al-Rajhi withdraws
- Lategan, last year’s overall runner-up, took his fifth career stage win and led Qatar’s Nasser Al-Attiyah by three minutes and 55 seconds
ALULA, Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia’s Dakar Rally champion Yazeed Al-Rajhi declared an end to his title defense and withdrew on Wednesday as South African Henk Lategan dominated the fourth stage for Toyota and took over at the top.
Al-Rajhi had been struggling from the start in his customer entry Toyota Hilux, and was already 19th when he withdrew with technical issues 234km into the 452km part of a two-day marathon stage around AlUla.
“Sadly, our Dakar 2026 journey ends here,” he posted on Facebook. “We’ll come back stronger next year.”
The Saudi explained later that he had lost half an hour with two punctures and, with nearly half the stage remaining until the bivouac and having to go slow with no further spare available, had called it a day.
It ended a difficult year for the Saudi since he won last year, with Al-Rajhi crashing in Jordan last April and breaking two vertebrae. He returned to competition only in September.
Lategan, last year’s overall runner-up, took his fifth career stage win and led Qatar’s Nasser Al-Attiyah by three minutes and 55 seconds.
“Yesterday, we had a total of nine punctures. It’s unbelievable. I think that’s a record in three days. I was lost,” the factory Toyota driver said, his happiness tempered by missing his son’s sixth birthday.
“I didn’t know what to do on the rocks, whether to slow down or not, attack or not. Today I decided to forget all that and just go for it. It’s a lottery anyway.”
Al-Attiyah, a five-times Dakar winner now with the Dacia Sandriders team, was second in the stage — more than seven minutes behind Lategan — to move up from 10th overnight.
“We did a good job, we’re here, and I think we didn’t lose too much time. It might even be good for our start position tomorrow,” he said.
“We didn’t need to push any harder; we’re still some way back. The car is in good condition and we’re happy.”
Ford’s Mattias Ekstrom was in third place overall with teammate and four-time Dakar winner Carlos Sainz fourth and nearly 16 minutes off the lead.
Ford’s overnight leader Mitch Guthrie of the US dropped to 13th.
In the motorcycle category, Spaniard Tosha Schareina took the lead for Honda from Australia’s defending champion Daniel Sanders, who dropped to third on his KTM. American Ricky Brabec was second.
Schareina and Brabec finished the stage in a Honda one-two-three with American Skyler Howes third and Sanders fifth.
“I made some silly mistakes in the navigation. After the refuel, I tried to push and make up time,” said Sanders.
“I felt better in the last half. The bike’s okay. There was a lot of rocks. I tried to protect my tires. We’ll see what happens tomorrow.”
