Our very own Mercedes Lilienthal is sharing in-person 2026 Dakar Rally and Defender happenings! She caught a variety of racers in action during Stage 2 as they headed towards the finish line in AlUla, Saudi Arabia. She also got an insider scoop of the three duos of Defender Rally Team (including an insider D7X-R walkaround and tour of the Defender bivouac area). It was an exciting day! Her first at the Dakar Rally.
Defender Rally Team Stage 2 Stock Class Podium
- Driver Stéphane Peterhansel, co-driver Mika Metge 500
- Driver Rokas Baciuška, co-driver Oriol Vidal 502
- Driver Sara Price, co-driver Sean Berriman 504
“Defender Rally achieves a 1-2-3 result on Stage 2 of the 2026 Dakar Rally in the Stock class, with American Sara Price and co-driver Sean Berriman (504) taking the stage win with a time of 4:57:33 over today’s 400km special stage.
Following hot on their heels and in close proximity, Rokas Baciuška with Oriol Vidal (502) finished one minute and 22 seconds later, whilst Stéphane Peterhansel with Mika Metge (500) completed the stage just four seconds after Rokas.
Photo and video by Mercedes Lilienthal
Mercedes Lilienthal is an award-winning journalist, photographer, and content creator who specializes in vehicular adventure travel, the automotive industry, and inspiring people within it. Mercedes, a dual citizen of the United States and Germany, loves to document her travels. Her work includes journalism and photography for a wide array of publications in multiple countries, including The New York Times, Forbes, Car and Driver, and many more.
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