The countdown is on for the 2025 Dakar Rally, set to take place from January 3 to 17 in Saudi Arabia.
With a route featuring 12 stages and over 3,100 miles of timed specials, this year’s edition promises to be as spectacular as it is demanding. But this time, a major innovation is shaking things up: separate routes for bikes, cars, and trucks on certain stages. That’s just one more reason (if one was even needed) to watch this rally, as legendary as it is spectacular, and a true celebration of the passion for motorsport.
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A marathon stage right from the start
The Dakar rally kicks off with a 18-mile prologue around Bisha, a strategic warm-up to determine the starting order for the first stage. The real challenge begins the very next day with a marathon stage designed to push competitors to their limits. On the second day, bikes and cars will tackle nearly 600 miles over two days, with a third of the route consisting of dunes. The challenge is twofold: covering the distance while adapting to separate routes, preventing competitors from following tracks left by other categories. This innovation will make navigation even more complex and test the physical and mental endurance of participants from the outset.
Key stages without liaisons
The intensity ramps up with the fourth and fifth stages, designed to be completed without liaisons. This rare configuration in Dakar means teams will work directly from the same bivouac to fine-tune their vehicles. David Castera, the race director, believes this format will spice up the competition: “These stages without liaisons put everyone on equal footing. Bikes have an hour and a half for repairs, while cars can work through the night.” Competitors will then face a 266-mile special before reaching Ha’il, where a well-deserved rest day will allow them to recharge before tackling the second half of the rally.
The second half: sand and rocky terrain
After the break, the action resumes with a 376-mile stage leading to Al Duwadimi, featuring a mix of rocky terrains and sandy areas. Once again, separate routes for bikes and cars will increase the technical difficulty and variety of race conditions. Stages eight through ten will feature shorter yet equally strategic sections before reaching the infamous Empty Quarter, where category separation will peak. This desert region is set to be one of the rally’s biggest challenges, with distances ranging from 80 miles for trucks to over 186 miles for bikes. The rally will conclude with a 38-mile loop around Shubaytah, packing all the tension and intensity of two weeks of racing into a dramatic finale.
This article explores the innovations in the 2025 Dakar Rally, including separate routes for different categories and the intensity of the marathon stages. From dunes to technical challenges and strategic management, this edition promises to be one of the most demanding in the rally’s history.
Source: Dakar – ASO
Image: © Kin Marcin – Red Bull Content pool
