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Ekstrom wins Dakar prologue in Ford one-two
Mattias Ekstrom won the 22km prologue in 10:48.7 to secure Ford’s first one-two lead, setting the start order for the Dakar Rally’s opening full stage.
- On Jan 3, 2026, Sweden's Mattias Ekstrom led a Ford Racing one-two in the 22km prologue at Yanbu, marking the manufacturer’s first one-two in the event.
- The prologue determines start order for Sunday, with the 10 fastest drivers choosing their start positions among the first 16 and times not carrying over.
- Recording 10 minutes 48.7 seconds, Ekstrom covered the 22km course in his Raptor, eight seconds ahead of Mitch Guthrie, earning his third prologue win and sixth Dakar stage victory.
- Among rivals, Belgian Guillaume de Mevius and Qatari five-times Dakar winner Nasser Al-Attiyah were third and fourth for Mini X-Raid and Dacia Sandriders, while Saudi Arabia's defending champion Yazeed al-Rajhi was sixth and 14 seconds off for Toyota Overdrive.
- In the motorcycle category, Spaniard Edgar Canet topped the prologue for KTM and will start 15th, becoming the youngest stage winner at 20 years nine months and 18 days, with defending champion Daniel Sanders three seconds behind and starting 16th.
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At the start of the Dakar there was a double success of the Ford Raptor drivers. Mattias Ekström was in the prologue ahead of teammate Mitch Guthrie.
Coverage Details
Total News Sources8
Leaning Left0Leaning Right2Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution60% Center
Bias Distribution
- 60% of the sources are Center
60% Center
C 60%
R 40%
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