news

2026 Dakar Results & Week 2 Summary

by

2026 Dakar Results & Week 2 Summary :

2026 Dakar Rally – Week 2 Summary

Saudi Arabia, January 10 – 17, 2026
By TomBoyNI

Check out what you missed from the first week of the 2026 Dakar Rally.

After a frenetic first week of navigation tests, marathon challenges and multiple leaderboard shakeups, the 48th Dakar Rally charged into its second week with everything still to play for. With dunes raising temperatures and spirits alike, the second marathon stage and final five specials delivered drama, strategy, heartbreak and history – true to the spirit that has made Dakar the world’s toughest motorsport adventure.

Official results and standings are taken from the Dakar website and verified race reporting. 

Images from Red Bull Content Pool.

Stage 8 – Wadi ad-Dawasir Loop

January 12

Read more

2026 Skerries 100 Dates Confirmed

by

2026 Skerries 100 Dates Confirmed :

The Loughshinny Club have confirmed via a social media posting today that 2026 will see a return to road racing for the Skerries 100.

2026 Skerries 100 Dates Confirmed

Loughshinny Motorcycle Supporters Club is delighted to announce the return of the legendary Skerries 100 on 4th and 5th July 2026.

Safe to say, one of Ireland’s most iconic road racing events is roaring back to life, and we couldn’t be happier to welcome riders, teams, and fans once again.

Read more

2026 South West Road Races

by

2026 South West Road Races Dates Announced

The South West Road Races Athea Facebook Page has issued a statement re the plans for their 2026 event…

12th 13th September | Motorcycle Road Racing Returns to Athea

We are excited to announce finally the long awaited return of motorcycle road racing to Athea with the South West Road Races taking place on 12th 13th September.

After far too long away the roads of Athea will once again echo with the sound speed and spectacle that only real road racing can deliver. Two full days of high octane action on fast demanding public roads backed by passionate crowds and an unbeatable atmosphere.

Read more

2026 Dakar Week 1 Summary

by

Saudi Arabia, January ₃ – ₉, 2026

As the dust settles over Riyadh for the traditional mid-point Rest Day, the 2026 Dakar Rally has already lived up to its reputation as the world’s most gruelling race. From the labyrinthine canyons of AlUla to the daunting dunes of the Empty Quarter, the first week has been a masterclass in survival, navigation, and raw speed.

Here is the TBNI.Blog mid-rally report on the state of play as we head into the decisive second week.

Stéphane PETERHANSEL and Michaël METGE during the Stage 6 of the Dakar 2026 on January 9, 2026 between Ha’il and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Official results and standings are taken from the Dakar website and verified race reporting. 

Images from Red Bull Content Pool.

The Big Story: Precision vs. Attrition

The first half of the 2026 edition has been defined by the razor-thin margins in the Motorbike category and a changing of the guard in the Cars. While the heavy hitters have largely kept their machines in one piece, the “Marathon” stages have already claimed several high-profile victims.

The story of the week is undoubtedly the resurgence of Daniel “Chucky” Sanders. After a victory in 2025, the Australian has shown immense composure, fending off a ferocious four-pronged attack from the Monster Energy Honda HRC squad. In the Car category, the debut of The Dacia Sandriders has turned the leaderboard on its head, with Nasser Al-Attiyah proving that a new manufacturer doesn’t mean a slower pace.

Read more

2026 Dakar UK Coverage

by

2026 Dakar UK Coverage :

One of the more exciting events in motorsports is coming. The perfect way to bring in the New Year! The 48th Edition of the Dakar is about to start!

  • The Start Ramp and Prologue will be held on Saturday 3rd January 2026, with Stage 1 taking place on Sunday 4th January 2026.

The Dakar is one of the, if not the, most famous endurance races on the planet and with everything from bikes to trucks taking on one of the toughest navigation rallies ever conceived there is something for every genre of motorsport fan.

This year the route has been described by the Dakar Organisation as :

With the 2026 edition’s route, we are certainly at the highest standards, as the record for kilometres covered in special stages, in the time the rally has been held in Saudi Arabia, will be nearly matched. Drivers and crews will not escape fatigue, and they must also demonstrate their skill in handling all types of sand, and tracks of all kinds. On the other hand, the decision to reduce the number of bivouacs means they will be greeted by support teams that are more often rested and ready to go as soon as they arrive.
Along with the variety of challenges, a concern for balance also guided the route’s design. Therefore, the introduction of a new variant of marathon stages, with an overnight stay in a bivouac, required that one be set up in the middle of each week of the race. Similarly, intense stages are followed by opportunities to take a breather on both sides of the rest day, while not striving for absolute symmetry.

YANBU, A REGULAR STOP
Dakar competitors became acquainted with Yanbu in the final stretch of the 2021 edition. And it was also near this town that the first Sea Camp was established in 2023, adopting the concept of an XXL bivouac that brought together all the event’s participants in one location in the days leading up to the race. Since then, Yanbu has also hosted the final stage of the 2024 Dakar Rally. It is now the starting point for a vast loop, which will end as it begins: to the sound of the gentle lapping of the Red Sea waves.

2026 Dakar Route :

Read more

2026 Cookstown 100 Entry Forms now available

by

2026 Cookstown 100 Entry Forms and Regulations are now available :
https://www.cookstown100.org/index.php/forms/category/44-2026-entry-reg-forms

Race Packages :

Next year’s Cookstown 100 is set to take place on Friday and Saturday, the 24th and 25th of April. This year, we are again offering fantastic online packages for race enthusiasts priced at just £25.00.

For those looking for an enhanced experience, our exclusive VIP Packages are available for £75.00. The new VIP area, conveniently located within the paddock, promises an unparalleled view of the grid and podium, making it the perfect spot to soak in every exhilarating moment of the race. Throughout the event, VIP guests can enjoy a variety of hot food and refreshing beverages, ensuring you stay energised while cheering on your favourite riders. To secure your packages, use PayPal and enter [email protected] (selecting the friend’s option) in the ‘NOTES SECTION,’ please include your name, address, email, and the number of packages you wish to purchase. Important: Access to vantage points on private property along the Cookstown 100 course requires a purchased package. ** Don’t miss out on this thrilling event!**

Read more

2026 Cookstown 100 Rider Entry Fees

by

Cookstown & District Motorcycle Club’s groundbreaking announcement for competitors ahead of the 104th Cookstown ‘100.’

2026 Cookstown 100 competitors received an unexpected Christmas present when the directors of Cookstown & District Motorcycle Club announced the groundbreaking news that they would receive Free and Reduced entry fees for next year's event.
2026 Cookstown 100 competitors received an unexpected Christmas present when the directors of Cookstown & District Motorcycle Club announced the groundbreaking news that they would receive Free and Reduced entry fees for next year’s event.

Christmas is a season of giving, and the Cookstown & District Motor Cycle Club (MCC) is proud to announce it has a special gift for competitors ahead of next year’s Cookstown “100” road races.

As the longest-running national road racing organisation – second only to the Isle of Man TT – the Cookstown MCC has built a legacy of resilience and innovation in motorsport.

From the early days, when race legends such as Mike Hailwood, Philip McCallen, Robert Dunlop, and Michael Dunlop each scored their first road race wins at Cookstown, to pioneering initiatives like the “Man of the Meeting” award in 1974 (£100.00), the first club to allow Robert Dunlop to return to racing, following his 1994 IOM TT crash, and hosting the only road race worldwide during the 2020 pandemic, the Cookstown club has consistently sought ways to support riders and the sport.

In 2026, the 104th Cookstown “100” will feature a game-changing initiative—competitors will receive ‘FREE’ and ‘Discounted’ entry fees. This means no one will pay a full entry fee to compete at the Cookstown “100”!

Read more

Athea Road Races Planned for 2026 :

by

Athea Road Races Planned for 2026 :

The South West Road Racing Club have issued a Press Release confirming their commitment for a return to road racing and the plans to run their event in 2026…

South West Road Racing Club confirms commitment to Athea Road Races for 2026 :

PRESS RELEASE

(Read more for full Press Release)

The South West Road Racing Club is pleased to confirm that it has agreed to pay the required 50% deposit to the Motorcycling Ireland (MCI) to secure the necessary permits for the 2026 season, with the event to be held in Athea.

The club would like to thank Kerry Motorsport News for their continued support.

Dates will be released in due course, but in the meantime, the club wishes to thank everyone for their continued support.

Best regards,

The South West Road Racing Club Athea.

Read more

2026 Mondello Park Calendar

by

After a few brutal years for racing in Ireland it has now been confirmed that ‘The Masters Superbike Championship’ will be returning to Mondello Park for 2026.

Confirmation that the Masters is back!

Image : Irish Superbike Racing
Image : Irish Superbike Racing

Motorcycle Racing is officially back at Mondello Park for 2026 with the return of the Masters Superbike Championship. We’re still sorting out the details but we do have a calendar to announce. 

We’ll be running on five race weekends between April and August, with two test days prior to the start of the race action.

Due to the late announcement of the return of the championship we were unable to find a suitable weekend for our usual two day test, so we will be running two separate Friday test days, one on each circuit layout.

The full calendar is:

Read more

2026 Ulster Superbikes Calendar Confirmed.

by

2026 Ulster Superbikes Calendar Confirmed :

Ulster Superbike Championship

The 2026 Ulster Superbike Championship is just around the corner, and it’s time to take a first look at what lies ahead. With another season of top-class racing planned across the Kirkistown and Bishopscourt Circuits the championship is set to deliver plenty of fast, competitive action.

Below you will find the provisional 2026 calendar, full details of each event and the round name will be available as soon as it is released on the TBNI.Blog Road Racing Calendar…

2026 Ulster Superbike Calendar :

Read more

Disclosure :

TBNI.Blog includes affiliate links. TBNI.Blog may make a small commission if you purchase using these links, which will go towards the cost of running this website, and creating valuable content for you. TBNI.Blog will only include links to products . activities which the author personally recommends.

Amazon Associates Programme: TBNI.Blog participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for the site to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission on qualifying purchases. It will not affect your purchase price or cost you a penny more.