The Dakar 2018
This 40th edition of the Dakar will be held in three countries, starting in Peru, through Bolivia, ending the race in Argentina.
To all the drivers and crew who finish the 40th edition of the Dakar, you have my sincere admiration. I will be finding and using the best betting app in Australia to back who I think will be a winner, so don’t let me down favourites.
The stages:
Stage 1:
This stretch covers a mere 272kms and the organiser’s suggestion is for racer to “improve their reflexes” as they will need all their skill and finesse in the next stages.
Stage 2:
The focus is on the co-drivers navigation skills as the Pisco loop tag is 90% off-piste.
This stage is only 278kms, but the 40kms of canyons in the beginning or the many series of dunes after that will make these kilometres feel much longer.
Stage 3:
This stage is aimed at those experienced off roaders up for a challenge. At 502kms, the challenges are the off-piste across a chott and in canyons. There is a 15km detour for quads and bikes, but this does not add to the total kilometres for the day.
Stage 4:
Starting on the beaches of San Juan de Marcona, sees the drivers sprint through a beach start.
This leg is in total is 444kms, but boasts the longest ever stretch if sandy sections in the history of the race – 100kms! It’s possible for drivers to get a great lead in this stage.
Stage 5:
Bikes and quads now split from cars and trucks, each following different special sections of race programme. Crews are hitting the sands of Tanaka first, and people could get very held up over this 770km stage.
Stage 6:
Moving from Peru through the mountains into Bolivia, this stage has no time for checking out the scenery. 758kms need to be covered and the day off tomorrow will be needed to acclimate to the altitude of 2500 metres.
Day off – relax, plan but mostly relax
Stage 7:
Covering 726km is this stage is slightly complicated by the need to change software but hopefully this does not cause issue. This stage lacks dunes but needs extra vigilance to ensure safety.
Stage 8:
This stage covers a total of 584kms, but has the longest special sage in the whole rally, covering nearly 500kms and covering sand dunes nearly 3500m above sea level. Now we will start seeing who the true leaders of the race are.
Stage 9:
Back up to 784kms, the race now enters Argentina; this stage is fast in general but can be windy in places. Confidence is key in this stage and drivers need to avoid mistakes to record a good time.
Stage 10:
Only 795kms today! The dunes supplied today are tricky, and the assistance vehicles will be on hand for the first time.
Stage 11:
Hot weather on this stage means loose sand, possibly making this the toughest stretch in Argentina. Only 484kms in this stage but has great opportunities for good racers to shine.
Stage 12:
This stretch of 722kms requires focus from bike riders, whose arms may fall off and navigators need to focus on the road book. The amount of rios in this section are painful!
Stage 13:
Don’t lose focus on second to last day, the title can easily be lost in this ‘easy’ 904km stretch. Focus and you could keep the win!
Stage 14:
This is the end…after 284kms. Don’t let your guard down in this final stretch, there are still 30 rios too navigate before you can get cocktail and relax.
