Dakar 2021: New route, new rules

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Dakar 2021: New route, new rules
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Dakar 2021: new route, new rules

Dakar 2021 route presented
New route, new rules

Despite the corona pandemic, the Dakar is slowly picking up speed in 2021. The organizers have now presented the official route and also changed the rules in a few points.


Uli Baumann

11/26/2020

Even if numerous rally enthusiasts around the world had to cancel their participation in the Dakar 2021 due to the corona pandemic, more than 300 vehicles with teams from 49 countries will start in Jeddah on January 3, 2021 – including 142 motorcyclists – almost as many as last year. The 43rd edition of the long-distance rally will again take place exclusively in Saudi Arabia.

Over 7,600 km total distance

It starts on January 2nd with the eleven-kilometer prologue in Jeddah. From January 3rd to 15th, there will be 12 daily stages. The stage lengths are between 452 and 813 kilometers. A day of rest is planned for January 9th. The total route covers around 7,646 kilometers, 4,767 of which are designed as a special stage.


Dakar 2021: New route, new rules


Dakar.com

Compared to the previous year, the organizer promises a completely new route that is more demanding in terms of navigation. In return, the proportion of high-speed passages will be significantly reduced. Particularly dangerous passages are shown separately and sometimes have a speed limit of 90 km / h.

New rules, well-known favorites

The organizers have also readjusted the rules. It is particularly worth mentioning that the road book for all stages is now only issued 20 minutes before the start. In the previous year, this rule only applied to half of the stages. Another new feature is that motorcyclists have to limit themselves to six rear tires for the entire rally. The organizer wants to force a more cautious pace. The should also be more secure Airbag vests are compulsory for motorcycle pilots bring. The number of piston changes is now also limited. Repairs during the refueling process are prohibited.

As defending champion in the motorcycle category, Honda driver Ricky Brabec will enter the race on his CRF 450 Rally. The American had ended KTM’s long winning streak. The KTM drivers Matthias Walkner, Toby Price and Sam Sunderland are also among the favorites this year.

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