Jonathan FletcherOn Friday, January 5, 2024, the 46th edition of the Dakar Rally will roar into action in Saudi Arabia. Competitors face a grueling series of challenges, including a formidable 48-hour marathon stage. Here’s a detailed look at the full route.
The 2024 Dakar Rally kicks off with a prologue on January 5, setting the stage for the intense competition to follow. Participants will navigate 7,289 kilometers through the world’s toughest rally, culminating in Yanbu on January 19. Here’s the breakdown of the route.
Dakar Rally 2024 Route
The Alula – Alula rally, taking place on January 5, 2024, spans a total of 158 kilometers, with a special stage covering 28 kilometers. This year’s edition features an extended prologue, doubling the opening distance from the previous year. The prologue’s outcome will determine the starting order for the first stage.
Stage 1 – Alula to Al Henakiyah: On January 6, 2024, the route covers 541 kilometers, including a challenging special stage of 414 kilometers. This stage serves as a brutal introduction, as competitors navigate new terrain filled with volcanoes in Saudi Arabia. Its design aims to create significant gaps in the standings right from the start.
Stage 2 – Al Henakiyah to Al Duwadimi: Scheduled for January 7, 2024, this stage spans a route of 655 kilometers, featuring a special stage covering 463 kilometers. Stage 2 introduces famous dunes along with fast tracks, offering competitors a long day in the desert. The grueling 463 kilometers will push them to their limits.
Stage 3 – Al Duwadimi to Al Salamiya: Taking place on January 8, 2024, Stage 3 includes a route of 733 kilometers and a special stage of 438 kilometers. This stage introduces a marathon segment, where mechanics have only two hours for vehicle repairs at the finish. The route presents a mix of stones, sand, and dunes, adding to the challenge.
Stage 4 – Al Salamiya to Al-Hofuf: On January 9, 2024, the route spans 631 kilometers, with a special stage covering 299 kilometers. The second part of the marathon stage features 299 kilometers of fast tracks, where navigation plays a crucial role in determining success.
Dakar 2024’s Mid-Rally Marathon: Shortest Stages, Longest Challenges
Stage 5 – Al-Hofuf to Shubaytah: On January 10, 2024, the route covers 645 kilometers, including a special stage of 118 kilometers. Despite being the shortest stage, it’s laden with dangers and pitfalls, including the daunting dunes of The Empty Quarter.
Stage 6 – Shubaytah to Shubaytah: Scheduled for January 11 and 12, 2024, this stage comprises a route of 209 kilometers and a challenging special stage of 572 kilometers. It’s perhaps the defining moment of the rally, as competitors face a formidable 48-hour marathon stage that tests endurance and strategy.
Rest Day – Riyadh: Competitors enjoy a much-needed break on January 13, 2024, following the grueling marathon stage.
Second Half of the Dakar Rally 2024:
Stage 7 – Riyadh to Al Duwadimi: On January 14, 2024, the route spans 873 kilometers, with a special stage of 483 kilometers. The second week begins with a challenging stage through deep canyons, where precise navigation is crucial.
Stage 8 – Al Duwadimi to Hail: Scheduled for January 15, 2024, this stage covers a route of 678 kilometers, with a special stage of 458 kilometers. It’s a somewhat lighter day focused on sandy terrain, though vigilance is required due to rocky areas.
Stage 9 – Hail to Al Ula: Taking place on January 16, 2024, this stage includes a route of 639 kilometers and a special stage of 417 kilometers. The ninth stage starts deceptively fast but becomes a test of navigation skills amidst a landscape riddled with rocks and stones.
Stage 10: Al Ula Challenges
Stage 10 – Al Ula to Al Ula: On January 17, 2024, the route spans 612 kilometers, including a special stage of 371 kilometers. Competitors circle Al Ula, facing a terrain dominated by stones, recalling challenges that caused significant time losses in previous years.
Stage 11 – Al Ula to Yanbu: Scheduled for January 18, 2024, this stage covers a route of 587 kilometers, with a special stage of 480 kilometers. The penultimate stage offers rugged terrain with ample opportunities for dramatic shifts in the leaderboard.
Stage 12 – Yanbu to Yanbu: In the final stretch on January 19, 2024, competitors have one last 175-kilometer dash around Yanbu. While leaders might opt for a conservative approach, nothing is guaranteed until the very end.
The 2024 Dakar Rally promises an epic adventure, with each stage bringing its own set of challenges and surprises. Stay tuned for what’s sure to be an exhilarating journey through the heart of the desert.
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