Group 1 - The 2026 Dakar Rally commenced in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, with the first stage concluding on January 4, featuring a special stage of 305 kilometers and a liaison of 213 kilometers [1] - Edgar Canet from Spain won the motorcycle category, finishing the stage in 3 hours 16 minutes 11 seconds, leading his teammate Daniel Sanders by 1 minute 02 seconds [1] - In the automotive category, Guillaume de Mevius from Belgium, alongside navigator Matthieu Baumel, secured victory with a time of 3 hours 07 minutes 49 seconds, marking a significant comeback for Baumel after a severe accident [2] Group 2 - The Chinese team performed steadily in the first stage, with Han Wei finishing 23rd in the automotive category, showcasing the reliability of domestically developed vehicles [2] - The event is scheduled to take place from January 3 to 17, 2026, with participants moving towards the northwestern city of AlUla on January 5 [2]