Dakar: Start of the dune power struggle 🎥
BREAKING POINT PERU Even though the 2019 Dakar Rally is shorter and only takes place in Peru, it remains a challenge for the best in the business. Without a factory team at the start, the starting position is more exciting than ever. The 41st edition of the notorious desert race will be held exclusively in Peru in 2019. There, massive sand dunes await the participants, who will have to [...]
The 41st edition of the notorious desert race will take place exclusively in Peru in 2019. There, enormous sand dunes await the participants, which they have come to know and fear on some stages in previous years.
5600 kilometers in ten stages
On the program are ten daily stages over a total distance of 5600 kilometers for the cars (126 entries) and trucks (41), 5541 kilometers are for the motorcycles and quads (together 167). 2971 kilometers (2889 for two-wheelers and quads) will be completed on best time.
A total of 534 drivers and co-drivers from 61 nations are on the start list, including 17 women, more than ever before.
The start is on Monday, January 7, in the capital Lima. On Saturday, January 12, there will be a rest day in Arequipa. The finish line will be back in Lima on Thursday, January 17.
Colossal mini trio
There are a good half dozen favorites for overall victory in the car category. Last year's winner Carlos Sainz from Spain heads the list in a Buggy from the X-Raid Mini JCW team. His biggest opponent comes from his own camp in the form of Stéphane Peterhansel, the 13-time Dakar winner on two and four wheels.
The third Mini driver and former motorcycle winner Cyril Desprès can also be expected to achieve his first triumph in the cars. The trio drove for Peugeot in the last three years and combines 20 Dakar victories!
Loeb wants to know
Sébastien Loeb is determined to be one of them. That's why the record-breaking world rally champion is making a fourth attempt to improve on his best result to date - second place in 2017. In the factory-supported PH-Sport team, the Swiss by choice tackled the adventure in a Peugeot 3008DKR.
Loeb and his loyal co-driver Daniel Elena describe how they see their chances in the following video:
https://www.facebook.com/RedBullMotorsports/videos/693849017676733/
TV images on Eurosport and the Internet
Third force in the 2019 Dakar is Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa. After several podium finishes with the Toyota Hilux pick-up from South Africa, former Dakar winners Nasser Al-Attiyah (2011 and 2015) and Giniel de Villiers (2009) have only one goal: a first victory for their brand. Both are experienced desert foxes.
As there is no longer a pure factory team on the grid in 2019, their chances are just as great as those of X-Raid and Loeb. With the clear fastest time on Monday's first special stage, followed by Carlos Sainz, Al Attiyah already set the rate.
Eurosport brings a half-hour summary of the action every evening from 11 p.m. onwards. Many videos can also be seen on the Dakar Rally YouTube channel and on Red Bull TV.
