Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider Daniel Sanders claimed a dominant victory at the 2026 Desafío Ruta 40 in Argentina, winning four stages and securing the overall rally victory by more than 12 minutes. The result moves the Australian to the top of the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship standings after three rounds.
Despite a navigation mistake in the prologue that left him seventh, Sanders quickly rebounded with back-to-back stage wins and controlled the event from the front aboard his KTM 450 Rally. He capped off the week with another stage victory on the final day, sealing his first career Desafío Ruta 40 triumph.
Honda riders Tosha Schareina and Ricky Brabec completed the overall podium, while KTM teammate Luciano Benavides finished fourth. Sanders’ victory follows earlier wins at the Dakar Rally and Rally Raid Portugal, extending his strong start to the 2026 season.
With the win, Sanders takes a three-point lead in the championship standings over Schareina heading into the second half of the World Rally-Raid Championship season.