The 2026 Dakar Rally delivered another spectacular chapter on Tuesday as Mitch Guthrie achieved a career milestone, claiming his maiden stage win in the Ultimate category while propelling Ford to a commanding 1-2 finish in the challenging 421km test around Al-Ula.

Guthrie's victory represents a remarkable turnaround story. After a modest start that saw him sitting outside the top 10 and trailing leaders by nearly two minutes, the American driver showcased the determination and skill that defines Dakar competitors. By the halfway mark, he had dramatically closed the gap to just 16 seconds behind early leader Mattias Ekstrom, and by kilometer 303, Guthrie surged into the lead he would never relinquish.

The triumph marks a spectacular reversal of fortune for Ford's entire program. After Monday's subdued performance where none of their entries cracked the top 10, the team came roaring back with their Raptors dominating throughout Tuesday's stage. Guthrie's winning margin of 2 minutes and 27 seconds demonstrated both his talent and the competitive machinery beneath him.

Adding to Ford's celebration, MD Sport driver Martin Prokop secured second place in his customer-run Raptor, proving the strength and reliability of the Ford platform across both factory and privateer teams. The performance places six Ford entries inside the top 10, an impressive display of depth and consistency.

Two-time DTM champion Mattias Ekstrom showed blistering early pace, setting the benchmark for Ford before encountering challenges in the final 100 kilometers. His teammate Nani Roma also briefly held the lead at the fourth checkpoint, demonstrating the team's overall competitiveness.

Toyota continued to show flashes of their legendary Dakar prowess, with Guy Botterill delivering an outstanding drive in his factory Hilux to claim third place, finishing just under six minutes behind the leaders. This performance came on the heels of Toyota's historic 1-2-3-4-5 lockout on Monday, proving the Japanese manufacturer remains a formidable force.

Dacia's Lucas Moraes posted the fourth-fastest time, leading the Renault Group brand's charge, while 2022 Extreme E champion Cristina Gutierrez impressed with a fifth-place finish after running as high as second during the day. Her performance continues to inspire and demonstrates the growing diversity in top-level rally raid competition.

Matthieu Serradori earned praise for his excellent performance in the Audi-powered Century CR7, finishing just one second behind rally legend Carlos Sainz Sr., who enjoyed another solid day in the desert.

The dramatic stage reshuffling has injected fresh excitement into the overall standings, proving once again why the Dakar Rally captivates motorsport fans worldwide. With multiple manufacturers showing winning pace and drivers from various backgrounds achieving success, the 2026 edition promises to be one of the most competitive and unpredictable in recent memory.

As the rally continues its journey through Saudi Arabia's stunning landscapes, Guthrie's breakthrough victory serves as a reminder that determination, skill, and perseverance can overcome early setbacks in motorsport's ultimate endurance challenge.