Jordi Juvanteny, José Luis Criado, and Xavi Ribas complete stage six in Eco Mode and retain first place overall in Mission 1000.
Despite suffering a setback with one of the MAN 6x6’s tires, the team scored 10 points, allowing them to keep a five-point advantage over their main rival.
Juvanteny: “The route was very demanding, with dunes and a lot of navigation. Having to open the track, we had to stay focused at all times and avoid any mistakes.”
The KH-7 ECOVERGY Team closes out the first half of the 2026 Dakar Rally at the top of the Mission 1000 category. In stage six, contested between Ha’il and Riyadh, Jordi Juvanteny, José Luis Criado, and Xavi Ribas managed an especially complex day to complete the special in fourth position.
After yesterday’s flawless performance that propelled them into the lead, the team relied on experience today in a dune stage where they had to open the route, with no references for the 71-kilometer special. On top of that, they dealt with an issue on one of the tires, whose tread began to separate. Despite these difficulties, Juvanteny, Criado, and Ribas made their experience count to secure the 10 points awarded for completing the stage. Like their main rivals, they drove in Eco Mode (without going for time-bonus points), and therefore maintain a five-point gap over their closest pursuer in the overall standings.
“The route was very demanding, with dunes and a lot of navigation. Having to open the track, we had to stay focused at all times and avoid any mistakes. Fortunately, the tire problem didn’t get worse. We looked after the mechanics and the result allows us to stay in the lead before the rest day,” explains driver Jordi Juvanteny.
The KH-7 ECOVERGY Team reaches the halfway point of the event with very positive feelings. The truck’s new hydrogen-electric hybrid system has performed perfectly across all kinds of terrain, confirming both the project’s reliability and the team’s role as a benchmark for alternative energies at Dakar. During the rest day, the crew will take the opportunity to inspect and fine-tune the truck before tackling the second half of the rally.
After this short break, the 2026 Dakar Rally will resume this Sunday the 11th with stage seven, from Riyadh to Wadi Ad-Dawasir. It will be the longest stage of the race, with 120 kilometers against the clock out of a total of 786—another new and demanding challenge for the iconic KH-7-liveried truck.
Source: KH-7 ECOVERGY Team
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