Favorite bike for Dakar 2026: Valencia’s Tosha Chalayna of the “Big 3”

There are three strong candidates for motorcycles. They monopolize all eyes and even the director. dakar, david castellaor one of those who should fight on edgar canetMD was recognized. Everyone looks at the current champion, daniel sanders (KTM), and Honda’s two big assets, Tocha of Spain. Shalayna (2025 runner-up) and American Ricky Brabec (2020 and 2024 champion) are strong contenders for the crown, a step above anyone in the two-wheeled category and it will be another episode in the already historic showdown between Honda and KTM.

Honda will have the Valencian and Ricky as two of its richest candidates to face Saunders.in addition to French Adrian van Beveren, third in the last two tests. The forces of the Golden Wing Company will try to seize the throne. Daniel Saunders has proven to have made a significant mental change over the last year. The Australian has added maturity to his devilish speed and enviable technique.equipped with the head needed to manage the race in the best way and attacked Tosha when she had to win.

Breaking the post-Marc Koma drought

Valencia’s Tosha Chalayna took second place in 2025 Despite falling and having to ride in a car for part of the test. Clavicle fracture. They continued to fight with all their might, aiming for the runner-up spot with a difference of more than 8 minutes from the winner. The final Dakar served as a sanctimony for the 30-year-old pilot, who hopes to end Spain’s drought in the Dakar two-wheeled championship since the last Touareg, which won five times. Mark Koma in 2015. More than 10 years have passed since then, Tosha wants to bring victory to Spain and she showed this in the run-up to the Dakar, winning the Rally du Maroc.

The mystery of the Kane pearl

What can we expect from Edgar Kane? Young KTM riders for nowA great jewel of the present and future of the Raid world, he believes it is too early to think about fighting for victory I like to stay grounded to continue gaining experience for the future. He says that’s his goal. But when you ride a bike, it flies away. Therefore, it is impossible to eliminate him completely.

The theory is that drivers should wait around four editions to gain experience and then aim for glory. Let’s see what this young driver can do.

He arrived at the 2025 Dakar at just 19 years old as the youngest official driver in Dakar history. The purpose is to learn, and that’s what his leader, Jordi Villadomus, pointed out. However, his speed and adaptability were not. I was 8th overall in my debut race, but champion of He placed third in the Prologue, second in Stage 7, achieved another top five, and finished in the top 10 in the stage seven times. That’s how he won the Rally2 title. Now everyone is wondering whether he can make a decisive leap forward in his second Dakar and join the devilish pace of the three favorites fighting for victory. In Edgar’s case, it’s like F1’s Verstappen, a great talent born every few decades. Nothing should be taken for granted.

At KTM, luciano benavides Recovery from serious injury. Let’s not forget about the Indian brand ‘Hero’. ross branch He waived in 2025, and Cornejo. In that respect, lorenzo santorino (Sharco) arrived weak due to a toe injury, but he wants to continue to shine among the best.