Sébastien Loeb and navigator,  Édouard Boulanger, fought back from several delays to complete the event’s final stage on Friday with the second quickest time and secured fourth in the overall classification. Reigning world champion Lucas Moraes made it through a tough event in 21st position alongside navigator Dennis Zenz.

Fourth place for Loeb / Boulanger ensured they continue to lead the provisional Drivers’ and Navigators’ standings, albeit by a reduced three-point advantage ahead of team-mates Al- Attiyah / Lurquin with two rounds of the 2026 FIA World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) remaining.

Al-Attiyah and navigator Lurquin started Friday’s deciding stage just seven seconds down on first place on the back of another strong performance, which included a day victory on Stage 2 and a second fastest time on Stage 4. Unfortunately, an enforced wheel change on Stage 5 ended Al-Attiyah / Lurquin’s victory hopes in Argentina, where The Dacia Sandriders was competing for the first time.

Loeb / Boulanger, whose Desafío Ruta 40 challenge was hampered by multiple damaged tyres, were second quickest twice, finishing runner-up in the stage order on Wednesday and again on Friday, despite another damaged tyre change.

Those additional stage points proved crucial to the French pair remaining in front of the W2RC title race after they moved up from fifth overnight to reach the finish in San Juan in fourth place following the final 340 timed kilometres.

Moraes / Zenz were playing catch up after earlier setbacks when a collision with a rival competitor led to their retirement on Stage 3 with damaged rear suspension. Restarting on Thursday, they reached the finish of Stage 5 sixth quickest.

While The Dacia Sandriders’ unbroken run of W2RC victories is over following three consecutive W2RC wins on Rallye du Maroc last season and the Dakar Rally and Rally-Raid Portugal this season, Desafío Ruta 40 was a case of mission accomplished for the team with the goal of maintaining its lead at the top of the Drivers’, Navigators’ and Manufacturers’ standings achieved.

After the traditional summer break, the 2026 W2RC season resumes in North Africa in the late September for Rallye du Maroc, which The Dacia Sandriders won in 2024 – its championship debut – and again in 2025.