2020 Dakar Rally route preview

The 2020 Dakar Rally will be a step into the unknown for all involved, as the famous rally-raid heads to Saudi Arabia for the first time.

After 10 years in South America, and 30 years in Africa before that, competitors will be presented with a new route and new challenges in a country that has long been shrouded in mystery and controversy.

Saudi Arabia paid a significant sum for a five-year deal to host the Dakar Rally, after the relationship between the Amaury Sports Organisation and Peru fell apart. While the 2020 edition will be held entirely with in Saudi borders, the contract does not rule out neighbouring countries joining in future years.

Saudi Arabia will be the 30th country visited by the Dakar Rally and will feature an entirely new route for competitors to navigate. While sand dunes will make up a sizable portion of the route, there will be more variety than some might think.

2020 Dakar Rally route:

1. Jeddah to Al Wajh, 752km (SS – 319km) – The rally begins in Jeddah, one of the busiest ports in the world and the gateway to the holy Islamic cities of Mecca and Medina. The first stage will stick close to the Red Sea coastline and will include a variety of terrain.

2. Al Wajh to Neom, 401km (SS – 367km) – Most of this stage will be on formed tracks, though navigation will be important. Bikes and quads will see the first part of the ‘Super Marathon’ stage.

3. Neom to Neom, 489km (SS – 404km) – Future megacity Neom will be the start and finish of a circuit that takes competitors right up to the Jordan border. Mountains and canyons will lead the rally to its highest altitude (1400m).

4. Neom – Al Ula, 676km (SS – 453km) – Equal parts sand and gravel, with tracks to lead the way. The stage will pass close to the historic Nabatean temples.

5. Al Ula to Ha’il, 563km (SS – 353km) – Humongous rocks serve as navigational landmarks, while gigantic sandy hills and descents scattered with desert grass will keep racers on their toes.

6. Ha’il to Riyadh, 830km (SS – 478km) – The final stage before the rest day is 100% sand and entirely off-piste. The fast first section will give way to towering dunes.

7. Riyadh to Wadi Al-Dawasir, 741km (SS – 546km) – After a rest day in the bustling capital of Riyadh, competitors will be thrown back into the fire on the longest stage of the race.

8. Wadi Al-Dawasir to Wadi Al-Dawasir, 713km (SS – 474km) –  This stage will feature mountains and canyons, plus a 40km straight-line run to satisfy the speed freaks.

9. Wadi-Al Dawasir to Haradh, 891km (SS – 415km) – Hard ground and rough tracks will lead racers to the oil and agricultural town of Haradh.

10. Haradh to Shubaytah, 608km (SS – 534km) – The famous Rub’ al Khali, better known as the Empty Quarter, will make its first appearance. The vast sand desert is as remote as any place in the world and consists of towering dunes. As this is a marathon stage, assistance from teams at the bivouac is not allowed.

11. Shubaytah – Haradh, 744km (SS – 379km) – The race heads back to Haradh and will traverse 80km’s of the most spectacular dunes in the country.

12. Haradh to Qiddiya, 447km (SS – 374km) – The final stretch will be all about composure as competitors arrive in the new resort city of Qiddiyah, not far from Riyadh.

The Dakar Rally takes place from January 5-17, 2020.