Dakar 2019 Route: What To Expect From Peru?

Published January 7, 2019
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Here’s a quick look as to what the competitors will be facing over the course of the next 10 days in South America

First Dakar to be held in a single country only.
Over 3000km of competitive stage distance in store.
70 per cent of the terrain is sandy.
There will be two mass-starts.

The 41st edition of the Dakar rally has already begun in the capital city of Lima, Peru and this one promises to be tougher than ever before. The ceremonial flag off took place on 6 January with 541 participants setting out on an epic annual adventure. Amongst them is our small yet potent Indian contingent from Hero MotoSports and Sherco-TVS Racing with an Indian pilot in each of the teams. We have already covered their experiences over the past few years as well as their run-up to the 2019 Dakar. We have also taken a close look at their competition, who are the perennial favourites to do well. But now, with the event underway, here is what “100% Peru” has in store for all.

Coming back to the 2019 edition, it is spread over the course of 10 days of competitive stages with a rest day bang in the middle of proceedings. The competitors will cover over 5000km in the process, of which 3000km will be timed.

The rally is concentrated around three primary areas in Peru - Pisco, Arequipa and San Juan de Marcona. Proceedings will start from Lima on 7 January with a short timed section of 84km to Pisco. It will conclude back in Lima on 17 January after another relatively short timed section of 112km.

In terms of mileage, stage four will have competitors tackle the longest competitive section. It is also the first day of the marathon stage wherein competitors will have to stay extra vigilant since they won’t be meeting up with their crew at the end of the day. The following day will feature a mass start which will see nearly fifty motorcycles starting off from the Ilo dunes, all at once. Thankfully, the day following these two major hurdles is a rest day when the riders/drivers can recover.