Ales Loprais, together with teammates David Kripal and Jiri Stross, completed the Dakar 2026 rally with a historic result-second place overall. The InstaForex Loprais Team De Rooy FPT crew in the Red Dragon truck went through a series of stage wins, a dramatic rollover, and a final push to the podium, proving they belong to the world elite.
Stage 10 opened the winning run. The route from Harad to Shubaytah included a 520-kilometer liaison and a 120-kilometer high-speed special across the Rub' al Khali dunes. "A tough route, high tempo, and maximum concentration-Red Dragon turned the day into a major success," the team reported. The crew attacked from the first meters, outpacing rivals with Kripal's precise navigation and Loprais's aggressive driving. Finishing first delivered not only stage points but also a rise to second place overall. "Thanks to this result, we moved up to second," LOPRAIS NEWS noted. The gap to leader Vaidotas Zala narrowed to eight minutes, creating a realistic shot at gold.
Stage 11 continued Red Dragon's dominance. The Shubaytah loop featured a 130-kilometer section made almost entirely of dunes, with trucks running on a separate route. "Ales Loprais celebrates his fifth stage win on this Dakar," the team cheered. Having started first, the crew cut a clear line with no tracks from other categories. "In a dramatic finish to stage 11, Loprais reduced the leader's advantage by 2 minutes 31 seconds," the report added. That completed a hat-trick of consecutive wins-stages 10 and 11 proved Red Dragon was in peak form. The gap to Zala tightened to five to six minutes heading into the final days.
Stage 12 brought drama that could have cost a podium. The 480-kilometer special again crossed massive dunes, where visibility was limited by sand dust. "Red Dragon had ridden a great streak, winning three stages in a row and closing in on leader Vaidotas Zala," the team recalled. Fate, however, had a test in store. "In the difficult dunes, the truck ran into trouble and tipped onto its side," LOPRAIS NEWS reported. The rollover on a steep slope left Red Dragon stuck in the sand. "A rival helped get us back upright," the team acknowledged. Under Dakar rules, mutual assistance is permitted, and a competitor helped the crew put the Iveco back on its wheels. Jiri Stross checked systems, Kripal corrected the route, and the team continued, losing about 20 minutes. "Despite these difficulties, Red Dragon managed to restart, finish the stage, and remain in the very strong competition," the report concluded. Second place overall was held, but the gap to Zala widened to 20 minutes.
The thirteenth and final stage was a triumphant close. A short 60-kilometer loop around Shubaytah decided the podium positions. Loprais attacked to the last meter, but gold remained out of reach. "Ales Loprais delivered an exceptionally strong and combative performance at Dakar 2026," the final report said. The crew finished second overall, 20 minutes and 18 seconds behind Zala. "During Dakar, he won several stages and repeatedly stayed at the top of the results," the team emphasized. Five stage wins (stages 1, 6, 9, 10, and 11) and second place overall mark Loprais's best result since 2024, when he also finished runner-up.
"Overall, second place at Dakar 2026 again confirms his long-term membership in the absolute world elite of Dakar trucks," the team concluded. InstaForex Loprais Team De Rooy FPT expressed their gratitude to supporters, saying, "Thanks to the fans, partners, and the whole team. Red Dragon will return to Dakar 2027!"
