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2 hours in the past | Phrases: Andy Wigan | Photographs: Purple Bull Content material Pool/GasGas/KTM
“We took it upon ourselves to make the fifth version of the Dakar Rally Saudi Arabia the hardest one because the race got here to the Center East,” warned the occasion’s director, David Castera, when unveiling the small print of the 46th version of the long-lasting race – the world’s most gruelling motorsport race, which can begin in AlUla on January 5 and end in Yanbu, on the shores of the Purple Sea on January 19, after a 7891km trek on roads, tracks and dunes, together with 4727km of specials.
Sure, the fifth version of the Dakar in Saudi Arabia guarantees to push man and machine tougher than any of the earlier ones. After the primary week, by which the opponents will really feel the warmth from the beginning in AlUla, the sphere will deal with an Empty Quarter triptych introducing a brand-new idea: a 48-hour chrono stage held over two days by which the opponents, scattered amongst eight bivouacs, will likely be principally left to their very own units. The remaining day in Riyadh will solely present a quick respite, as the numerous terrain between that time and the end in Yanbu is riddled with navigational challenges that might shift the steadiness of energy at any time.
ALULA, A CITY FROM THE DAWN OF TIME
Few issues left the sphere of the Dakar as awestruck as AlUla and its area when the race first landed in Saudi Arabia in January 2020. The kaleidoscopic landscapes of the nice outdoor mix with the load of historical past and a component of thriller in a humbling expertise and an invite to contemplation. The Dakar has returned again and again to AlUla following its first encounter with archaeological websites from the daybreak of time and the Nabataean temples sprinkled across the previous city. In a repeat of the tried-and-tested components used on the shores of the Purple Sea final time, the riders, drivers, co-drivers, help crews and organisation groups will converge on a super-sized bivouac to use the ending touches to their preparations earlier than the rally will get underneath means. Camaraderie and a shared ardour for the fantastic thing about the desert will fill the air.
ALULA CAMP: RENDEZ-VOUS WITH HISTORY
The Dakar opponents found the wonders of AlUla within the first version of the rally in Saudi Arabia in 2020. Nevertheless, this time round, they’ll have the chance to immerse themselves even additional within the environment of the thousand-year-old archaeological websites: the precept of the beginning camp, which was an incredible success among the many opponents in its coastal model, has now been prolonged to the desert, with the bivouac situated within the neighborhood of the majestic temples constructed by the Nabataeans. Drawing inspiration from buildings which have stood the take a look at of time, that is the proper option to get into journey and discovery mode earlier than tackling the 1000’s of kilometres of the route.
1 PROLOGUE, 12 STAGES, 14 DAYS OF RACING
Following a demanding version that exposed the opponents’ capability for resistance, the tone of the Dakar 2024 will likely be simply as respectful of their expectations when it comes to a problem. The route, which can cowl an equal distance of 5000km of particular levels continues the exploration of Saudi territory, with 60% of all-new sections. A complete of 9 bivouacs will likely be arrange on a big swathe working west-east, crisscrossing the route in each instructions to a ultimate end in Yanbu, on the shores of the Purple Sea.
48-HOUR STAGE: ENGINES CUT AT THE CANNON BLAST
It is a new stage format, contested over two days with the constraints of a marathon stage, though opponents are permitted to assist one another in the course of the night. However this time, there will likely be no alternative of canteen or restore companions, because the drivers and crews will likely be unfold out over eight totally different bivouacs. When the clocks strike 4pm, all autos will likely be required to cease on the subsequent bivouac they arrive throughout. With no connection and subsequently no visibility of their rivals’ performances, the opponents will camp and set off once more at 7am the next day to finish the remaining part of the route. The tally will likely be counted after round 600km of particular stage.
EMPTY QUARTER: TWO SPECIAL DAYS
The immense desert of the Empty Quarter would be the venue for the all-new 48-hour stage, with a particular format that surpasses the time restrict imposed on the primary sequence. The terrain lends itself significantly effectively to 2 separate programs, one for motorbikes and quads and the opposite for automobiles and vans. Due to this fact, the highest FIA groups won’t profit from the tracks left by the two-wheelers and should navigate primarily based on their expertise. The system of ‘bonuses’ awarded to bike stage openers launched within the earlier version will likely be, exceptionally, employed.
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