The longest special stage of the Dakar Rally 2026 delivered two top-five finishes for Kuipers-Jongbloed Hybrid. Side by side, the trucks with start numbers 609 and 616 tackled the 483-kilometre test over constantly changing terrain. Gert Huzink, together with navigator Hugo Kupper and mechanic Mario Kress, secured fourth place, while Kay Huzink followed his uncle home in fifth. Thanks to today’s result, Kay Huzink, Rob Buursen and Gait Schoneveld move up to fifth overall. Gert, Hugo and Mario have been competing in the Experience class since Sunday and are therefore not included in the overall classification.
Kay Huzink: “blasted to the finish”
Kay Huzink, one of the standout performers of Dakar 2026, started this morning as the fourth truck on the road. Kay, Rob and Gait quickly found a solid rhythm and continued their run of consistent performances. The teamwork in the cab was strong again, although the day wasn’t completely trouble-free.
Kay explained: “The longest stage of the Dakar is done. A great test with a bit of everything. We started well in the dunes and had a good flow. Unfortunately, after about a hundred kilometres we got a puncture. Because Gert was close behind, we could change it quickly with six people. After the first neutralisation we were searching for a waypoint with others, but Rob found it quickly. Then we blasted along the fast tracks to the finish and came home fifth.”
Gert Huzink: “a great test with tough dunes”
After a strong result on Stage 7, Gert, Hugo and Mario were able to start just one minute behind Kay, Rob and Gait — ideal for their supporting role for the crew still fighting in the general classification. That support proved valuable when Kay suffered a puncture.
“Today was a great test to drive, with some tough dunes in it. I drove all day in service of Kay and could help with a tyre change. Somewhere mid-stage and again near the end we had braking issues because of air pressure — sometimes the brakes worked, sometimes they didn’t. That’s tricky, but in the end I managed to stay behind Kay all day,” said a satisfied Gert Huzink.
Stage 9: wadi ad dawasir – wadi ad dawasir (marathon)
Tuesday and Wednesday are all about the second marathon stage of this Dakar Rally, starting with Stage 9. The stage totals 532 kilometres, including 410 kilometres against the clock. For the third day in a row, it promises to be a varied test — with more dunes on the menu tomorrow. An extra pit stop has also been added to the route, which points to a demanding day. It’s a day when the crews and their trucks must rely on limited resources in a marathon bivouac: sleeping in a basic tent and carrying out their own maintenance.
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