It's finally here. The biggest race in the world has finally begun, promising unforgettable circuits starting this Saturday, December 31st in Saudi Arabia. The car competition will be divided into different stages that will extend until January 15, 2023 in the Empty Quarter desert, also known as the Rub' al Khali. Learn more about the rally that has attracted more than 1,000 pilots who will seek to challenge the Arabian deserts during two long and heavy weeks filled with adrenaline.
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Which drivers will compete in the Rally Dakar 2023?
More than 1,000 drivers will participate in the race, including the following main ones: in motorcycles, the Argentine Kevin Benavides (winner in 2021), the Austrian Matthias Walkner (winner in 2018), and the British Sam Sunderland (winner in 2017 and 2022).
On the other hand, in cars, the highlights are the Spanish Carlos Sainz (winner in 2010, 2018, and 2020), the French Stéphane Peterhansel (14-time winner), and Sebastien Loeb (nine-time World Rally WRC Champion), and the Qatari Nasser Al-Attiyah (winner in 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2022). As for lightweight vehicles, there will be the Chilean Francisco 'Chaleco' López (winner in 2019, 2021, and 2022).
What positions are the motorcycle and quad categories in the Rally Dakar 2023?
The race started today, Saturday, December 31, and the prologue stage of the Rally Dakar 2023 has ended in the motorcycle and quad categories.
Podium in quads
- Alexandre Giroud from France (1st place)
- Marcelo Medeiros from Brazil (2nd place)
- Dani Vilá from Spain (3rd place)
Podium in motorcycles
- Toby Price from Australia (1st place)
- Daniel Sanders from Australia (2nd place)
- Ross Branch from South Africa (3rd place)
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What positions are the car category in the Rally Dakar 2023?
In a surprising moment, the Swedish Ekström overcame his rivals. Meanwhile, the World Rally WRC champions Sebastien Loeb and Carlos Sainz did not manage to break into the top 5. This is how the race stands so far:
- 1 - Mattias Ekström/Emil Bergvist
- 2 - Sebastien Loeb/Fabian Lurquin
- 3 - Stephane Peterhansel/Edouard Boulanger
- 4 - Nasser Al-Attiyah/Mathieu Baumel
- 5 - Guerlain Chicherit/Álex Winocq
The Rally Dakar 2023 will take place from Saturday, December 31 to January 15. Photo: diffusion
What will be the route of the Rally Dakar 2023?
- 1st stage (Sunday, January 1, Sea Camp - Sea Camp, 234 kilometers of liaison, 367 of special). Motorcycle start: 5:30 am.
- 2nd stage (Monday, January 2, Sea Camp - Al Ula, 158 kilometers of liaison, 430 of special). Motorcycle start: 5:30 am.
- 3rd stage (Tuesday, January 3, Al Ula - Ha'il, 221 kilometers of liaison, 447 of special). Motorcycle start: 5:30 am.
- 4th stage (Wednesday, January 4, Ha'il - Ha'il, 148 kilometers of liaison, 425 of special). Motorcycle start: 5:30 am.
- 5th stage (Thursday, January 5, Ha'il - Ha'il, 270 kilometers of liaison, 373 of special). Motorcycle start: 5:25 am.
- 6th stage (Friday, January 6, Ha'il - Al Duwadimi, 409 kilometers of liaison, 467 of special). Motorcycle start: 5:50 am.
- 7th stage (Saturday, January 7, Al Duwadimi - Al Duwadimi, 167 kilometers of liaison, 472 of special).
- 8th stage (Sunday, January 8, Al Duwadimi - Riyadh, 315 kilometers of liaison, 398 of special).