Dakar Starts January 1st

The 2010 Dakar race is welcomed for the second consecutive year by Argentina and by Chile. The two countries have decided to start the year of the festivities of the bicentennial of their independence with the Dakar that will precisely take off from Buenos Aires on January 1st, 2010 for the incredible 8600 kilometers (5,344 miles) journey.

The 2010 Dakar race course, designed in an anti clockwise loop, will rapidly set to the north: the first act will value the competitors more suited to hard soil. After crossing the Andes, the stay of the rally in Chile will be mainly focused on a wide discovery of the Atacama Desert, with five sand stages, almost no liaisons and a journey all the way to the city of Iquique.

The return Dakar trip towards the Argentinean capital will allow appreciating the diversity of mountains and territories of the continent: in this third act, the terrains offered will finish off testing the resistance of the competitors and their vehicles.

On this ideal theater for an eventful confrontation, the new regulations set-up will contribute to putting the rider's talent forward. Regarding motorcycles the new rules have been expected but for many it has been a long wait. Going forward only motorcycles with engines of under 450cc will be allowed in the race for 2011. For 2010, an adjustment has been made for the amateurs owning 660cc motorcycles that allows them to compete with a bridle for this year only. The professionals will compete on 450cc motorcycles in the 2010 Dakar.

Photography by Maindru