Rally Raid
The Dakar Rally is moving to Saudi Arabia
It's official! The Dakar Rally's heading to the Middle East. Check out the reaction from some of the event's legendary competitors.
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After 30 years in Africa, and 11 in South America, the Dakar Rally is ready to start a new chapter in the Middle East after a five-year deal was signed with new host nation Saudi Arabia.
The switch from South America to the deserts of the Middle East marks a significant milestone in the event's long and illustrious history and means that the riders, drivers, co-drivers and support crews will need to get to grips with the new terrain in time for the event in early 2020.
We asked some of the most accomplished Dakarists what they feel about the change of venue; what changes they'd love to see and, decades on from Dakar Rally creator Thierry Sabine's singular vision, how the meaning and spirit of the event has changed. See their reaction in the player above, then read on for more.
Nasser Al-Attiyah
Defending champion and three-time Dakar Rally winner
Nasser Al-Attiyah celebrates winning the Dakar in 2019
© Flavien Duhamel/Red Bull Content Pool
“Dakar is moving from one region to another, starting in Africa for 30 years then to South America and now to the Middle East to Saudi Arabia. I think it will be really exciting for everybody as it’s a new location. When the region changes, the terrain definitely changes. I have a lot of experience in the Middle Eastern terrain and specifically in Saudi, being a two-time winner of Hayel Rally in 2008 and 2011. I’ve definitely got an eye on the podium and I think being an expert in the Middle East region, I will have the chance to be one of the very strong Dakarists in the 2020 edition.
"We'll definitely miss having the Rally in South America with its amazing South American rally fans, but we love the Dakar Rally and motorsports and we'll enjoy it wherever it is.”
Cyril Despres
Five-time Dakar Rally winner
Cyril Despres
© Red Bull Content Pool
"When I first heard the rumours of the next Dakar edition moving to the Middle East, I remembered some words from the Dakar's founder Thierry Sabine. A long time ago I saw an interview with him where he explained the meaning of discovery.
"If you love discovering Africa you'll also love to discover other parts of the world. That came to my mind when we first moved to South America, and suddenly after more than 10 years, it again came to my mind when we heard Saudi Arabia would be taking on the event for the next five years."
What challenges can the competitors expect?
"It's always been exciting not knowing where the Dakar would move next. A new location means new terrain and being in the dark is just a part of the game. The only sure thing is that in Saudi Arabia, being such a big and varied landscape, we can expect anything."
Could previous Dakar Rally experience help?
"In the desert you learn only by doing. Every single stage you tackle, any problem you face, how fast you find a solution, how you solve an issue with your vehicle, how to find a better way across the dunes, is all part of the experience.
"I am carrying a big bag of experience from 20 years of rallying and I try to use it. On the other hand I love the unknown, I'm still eager to discover new things like a child. When I'm not racing, I check new locations on Google Earth and try to prepare as much as I can."
Thoughts on David Castera – the new Dakar Rally boss?
"I spent three years in the car with David Castera and I know he's not just an excellent sportsman, but also a very good organiser. He likes to find new stuff, new routes, and new tricks, and considering this, I'm sure he'll nail it."
Andrea Peterhansel
Finished fifth at the 2004 Dakar Rally
2019 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge winners Stéphane and Andrea Peterhansel
© Naim Chidiac/Red Bull Content Pool
"At first I was a little bit sad because I really love Peru. I love the scenery, it's a beautiful landscape there, but I also love the people. They really live and feel the Dakar. On the other hand, Saudi Arabia is a vast country, with infinite possibilities for the perfect route. I am counting 100 percent on David Castera to create a fair and challenging Dakar. If anybody can do it, he can."
What challenges can the competitors expect?
"I've never been to Saudi Arabia, so I've no idea what to expect. Africa is where my journey started, not just racing, but travelling as well. In 2011, I did my first Dakar in South America, and found a very different race. In Africa we were riding from A to B and it was difficult enough just to make it to the finish-line.
"Later, in South America, the waypoints started to play a bigger part. Considering the vast terrain in Saudi Arabia, I expect there'll be some sort of mix between the African and the South American style. I assume as well the rally will return to the previous length, to 14 stages or even more."
What are the key ingredients of a legendary Dakar?
"When I first came to the Dakar in 1996, this race was a big adventure. We literally crossed the Sahara and slept in the tents and this is what I've been missing the most. But time goes on, we have new technology and of course we use it. What I think is really pointless, is the luxury of the current Dakar – to be honest I used to love roughing it."
Stéphane Peterhansel
13-time Dakar Rally champion
Stéphane Peterhansel and Andrea Peterhansel
© Naim Chidiac/Red Bull Content Pool
"When I first heard the Dakar was moving to Saudi Arabia, I was a little bit surprised. I didn't expect it at all. But then I checked the country and saw it's a very nice place to race.
"Considering it's such a large country with all kinds of terrain, the route could be really interesting. A lot of open desert gives me hope the new Dakar will look and feel like Africa."
What changes would you like to see on the new route?
"I'm quite sure we should rethink the navigation rules. Nowadays there is a person called map man who gives you all the info about the track. Some crews even use a tablet or iPhone in the car for help.
"What I would like to see is the navigation to be limited. We should be able to do the Dakar with only the roadbook and the GPS inside the cockpit."
What is the meaning of the modern Dakar Rally?
"I have no answer to this question. Sometimes I can't even explain why I do it. Racing a rally like Dakar, the spectators can live a dream through us, while for me the Dakar is mostly about interracting with nature and having fun."
Jordi Viladoms
Dakar Rally stage winner
Jordi Viladoms is on the road again
© E. Bauer/KTM Images/Red Bull Content Pool
The Dakar returning to Africa – how realistic is it?
"One day I would love to go back to Africa – not to the countries we have already been to, but to new ones. I am quite confident that the Dakar rally won't return to Dakar in Senegal, but a return to Africa may still be possible in the future. The Dakar needs to evolve and maybe one day, we'll get to discover the southern part of Africa."
What kind of Dakar Rally are you expecting in Saudi Arabia?
"The Empty Quarter is a huge desert, so I expect to see an African-style Dakar with longer stages and always new terrain. The problem in South America was a smaller size of the desert, so the route manager needed to play around a lot to do the itinerary."
What changes would you like to see on the new route?
"I'd love to see a more adventurous Dakar. We saw more of the sprint race in the latest editions, with too many possibilities for assistance. I also hope that moving to one of the richest countries in the world doesn't mean more luxury. I am hoping for long, hard stages, with difficult navigation and old-style bivouacs."
Sam Sunderland
2017 winner
Sam Sunderland
© Flavien Duhamel/Red Bull Content Pool
"This change is good for me, because I've lived in Dubai for 10 years, adapting well to the Middle East. I think it's positive for the Dakar to discover a new territory. One thing's for sure: everybody in this sport is excited to discover a new land, new race, new format."
How important is your previous Dakar Rally experience?
"This is crazy, but that's how it is: the guy you expect to win before the race, never seems to be the guy who does. It's a tricky race, so the rider that makes the least mistakes and can be consistent, is the one that ends up on top.
"I think everyone has kind of figured it out by now and adapted a bit. Still, we need to wait and see what the new race brings us."
What are the key ingredients that make the Dakar Rally legendary?
"I always picture the Dakar with dunes and tough times and people struggling all the way and in every way. If it's not tough, it's not the Dakar."
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