The New Year begins unabated after the celebrations. The 47ᵉ Dakar Rally, the first round of the world rally-raid championship, kicked off this morning in Bisha. For this 6ᵉ edition in Saudi Arabia, 590 drivers and co-drivers set off on a 7,700-kilometer-long course through deserts, mountains and dunes. If these landscapes are familiar, the route is full of surprises...
A Dakar Rally under the sign of extreme challenges
The Dakar 2025 kicked off this Friday, January 3, in Saudi Arabia, with a 79-km prologue around Bisha, including a 29-km timed special stage. But it's on Sunday that things get serious, with the return of the "48h Chrono" format. This two-day marathon will take riders over 951 km for the bikes. A stage where endurance and strategy will be essential.
The Dakar 2025 route, which will take riders to Shubaytah on January 17, 2025.
Spending the night in makeshift bivouacs, with engines switched off, will put participants' physical and mental stamina to the test. On this stretch, no assistance is allowed, forcing riders to fend for themselves for repairs and rest. After this stage, relative respite awaits them at the Ha'il bivouac.
The Empty Quarter desert: the unforgiving judge of the 47ᵉ Dakar
After these initial tests, the second half of the route will take place in the Empty Quarter, the vast dune desert. This portion will be crucial in deciding between the favorites and crowning the successor to Ricky Brabec, last year's winner. Among the 136 bikers, Australian Daniel Sanders, winner of the Rallye du Maroc, is also a feared competitor, while Tiziano Internò finds himself back on familiar terrain.
Sébastien Loeb and Carlos Sainz: a battle between giants
Sébastien Loeb, still in search of his first success on the Saudi tracks, is 33 seconds behind the leader after the prologue. He is up against the experienced Carlos Sainz, the 62-year-old Spanish driver who is putting his title on the line again this year. i think an intelligent race, avoiding excesses and bullshit, would certainly pay off," says the Alsatian, with a vengeance aboard his Dacia.
A new organization for safety and fairness
For 2025, the Dakar organizers have innovated by separating the courses for motorcycles (FIM) and cars/trucks (FIA) over 45% of the timed sectors. This decision aims to minimize overtaking situations and enhance safety for bikers, while increasing the challenges for cars, which will have to navigate without the tracks left by their two-wheeled counterparts.
Always full gaaaaaaas! #Dakar2025 #DakarInSaudi pic.twitter.com/j3gghLjedI
DAKAR RALLY (@dakar) January 3, 2025
Dakar Rally 2025, in figures:
The Dakar 2025 features a total of 440 vehicles:
- 134 motorcycles,
- 64 cars,
- 44 trucks,
- 39 SSVS,
- 54 Challengers, and alternative-energy vehicles as part of the Dakar Futur Mission 1000 program.
- Historic vehicle enthusiasts are not left out, with 76 classic cars and 19 classic trucks also on the starting line.
Dakar Motos Rally 2025 standings :
Here are the Top 3 after the prologue.
1. Daniel Sanders
2. Ross Branch
3. Edgar Canet
Year after year, the Dakar Rally remains a mythical event for motor sports and adventure enthusiasts. It's an event like no other, where every competitor comes looking for more than victory: a story to tell. The competition is broadcast on the L'Equipe channel (21) and the standings are updated in real time on the Dakar website.
Photo & Video Credits : Dakar
