It's finally here. The toughest race in the world has finally begun. The 45th edition of the Rally Dakar 2023 will take place from Saturday, December 31 to January 15 in Saudi Arabia, specifically in the Empty Quarter desert, also known as the Rub’ al Khali. This famous competition has attracted more than 1,000 drivers and will be held for the fourth time in the Arabian deserts during two intense weeks of extreme racing, to the point that the drivers will sleep in the middle of nowhere under improvised shelter tents. Learn more about this event here.
YOU CAN SEE: [LIVE] Rally Dakar 2023: broadcast channels and how to watch in Argentina, Spain, Mexico and more
Where will Dakar 2023 take place?
This race will be held in Saudi Arabia, specifically in the Empty Quarter desert. The rally will consist of 14 timed stages, covering the territory from Ha'il to Al Duwadimi. While there will also be a rest day for the drivers on January 9, which will take place in Riyadh, the Saudi capital.
What will be the route of Dakar 2023?
Below, discover the dates and specific routes of one of the toughest races of the year.
- 1st stage (Sunday, January 1), Sea Camp - Sea Camp, 234 kilometers of liaison, 367 special). Departure of motorcycles: 5.30 am.
- 2nd stage (Monday, January 2), Sea Camp - Al Ula, 158 kilometers of liaison, 430 special). Departure of motorcycles: 5.30 am.
- 3rd stage (Tuesday, January 3), Al Ula - Ha'il, 221 kilometers of liaison, 447 special). Departure of motorcycles: 5.30 am.
- 4th stage (Wednesday, January 4), Ha'il - Ha'il, 148 kilometers of liaison, 425 special). Departure of motorcycles: 5.30 am.
- 5th stage (Thursday, January 5), Ha'il - Ha'il, 270 kilometers of liaison, 373 special). Departure of motorcycles: 5.25 am.
- 6th stage (Friday, January 6), Ha'il - Al Duwadimi, 409 kilometers of liaison, 467 special). Departure of motorcycles: 5.50 am.
- 7th stage (Saturday, January 7), Al Duwadimi - Al Duwadimi, 167 kilometers of liaison, 472 special).
- 8th stage (Sunday, January 8), Al Duwadimi - Riyadh, 315 kilometers of liaison, 398 special).
Monday, January 9, rest day
- 9th stage (Tuesday, January 10), Riyadh - Haradh, 328 kilometers of liaison, 358 special).
- 10th stage (Wednesday, January 11), Haradh - Shaybah, 509 kilometers of liaison, 113 special).
- 11th stage (Thursday, January 12), Shaybah - Empty Quarter Marathon, 153 kilometers of liaison, 273 special).
- 12th stage (Friday, January 13), Empty Quarter Marathon - Shaybah, 191 kilometers of liaison, 185 special).
- 13th stage (Saturday, January 14), Shaybah - Al-Hofuf, 520 kilometers of liaison, 154 special).
- 14th stage (Sunday, January 15), Al-Hofuf - Dammam, 280 kilometers of liaison, 136 special).
Dakar 2023 has started, along with one of the most famous extreme competitions in the world. Photo: AFP
Where to watch Rally Dakar 2023 in Argentina, Spain, Mexico and the United States?
- Spain: Teledeporte, Eurosport and DAZN Eurosport
- Argentina: ESPN
- United States: NBC Sports
- Mexico: FOX Sports.