Friday January 17th. The first edition of the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia comes to an end, and it’s time to sit down and think about everything that happened during the twelve stages. The toughest test in the world has left us moments of enormous sadness and glory in its 42nd edition , marked by its transfer to the land of the sacred mosques and the presence of Fernando Alonso in the car category.
The professionalization of this competition has generated fierce competition for the first places, a situation that has been going on for years and that has been more palpable on this occasion. Victory is a matter of minutes, preventing the surprise of lower-budget teams that must fight against the harshness of the desert without breaks or mechanics. Of course, the brotherhood between pilots remains. Hence, Sainz’s two rivals in this 2020 edition, Nasser Al-Attiyah and Peterhansel , will keep our champion on his arrival at the finish line.
We often forget that the Dakar Rally is the toughest and most dangerous raid in the world. Sadly, this issue has reminded us of that in the most painful way possible. The motorcycle rider Paulo Gonçalves suffered a fatal fall in the seventh special, a companion much loved by the riders and who will always be present in their memory. In this regard, Laia Sanz, the princess of the Dakar , has been very critical of the course of this test in Saudi Arabia due to its speed and danger.
Fernando Alonso took center stage during this 2020 edition, but the Dakar goes much further. This large format brings together brave men from 60 different nationalities , with a total of 342 vehicles registered for the start and more than 7,500 kilometers to be completed. As a curious and negative fact: the presence of women falls compared to the previous edition, with twelve runners (five less). Among them we find the Spanish Cristina Gutiérrez (Tortu), Laia Sanz, Sara García and Mónica Plaza .
Read on and discover more curiosities about the 42nd edition of the Dakar Rally, the second most important motor competition in the world, only behind Formula 1. An annual event followed around the world and with a notable Spanish presence.
