The Defender Rally Team has etched a new chapter in the annals of the world’s toughest off-road race—the 2026 Dakar Rally.
In their inaugural appearance, the team dominated the Stock category (commercial vehicles), securing both top positions on the podium. The dynamic duo of Rokas Baciuška and Oriol Vidal claimed the championship title with a remarkable total time of 58 hours, 09 minutes, and 45 seconds.
Their triumph was further amplified as fellow teams Sara Price – Sean Berriman and the legendary Stéphane Peterhansel – Mika Metge secured second and fourth place overall, respectively.
Over 14 grueling days and a cumulative distance of 24,000 km across scorching sand dunes, the Defender Rally Team demonstrated unwavering determination. Their dominance was evident as they swept the top three positions in 10 out of 13 stages. Notably, in the decisive 13th stage, Rokas and Oriol delivered a stunning performance, completing it in just over 55 minutes, solidifying their lead and showcasing the team’s precision and resilience against nature’s relentless challenges.
The hero of the Stock category, the Defender Dakar D7X-R, is a variant directly derived from the commercial Defender OCTA line. Remarkably, each race vehicle begins its journey on the same assembly line at the Nitra plant in Slovakia, alongside standard production models. The D7X-R inherits the robust D7X chassis and the powerful twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine. To adapt to the rally’s demands, engineers optimized the wheelbase, ground clearance, suspension, and cooling systems, proving the exceptional capabilities of the original platform.
The resounding victory at the 2026 Dakar Rally is a testament to the drivers’ skill and the support of strategic partners like Castrol, Bilstein, and Bell & Ross. This success sets the stage for the team’s next challenges in the World Rally-Raid Championship.
Looking ahead, the Defender Rally team is set to compete in the next round of the World Rally-Raid Championship at the BP Ultimate Rally-Raid Portugal from March 17 to 22, 2026.
TH (Tuoitrethudo)
