Six reasons we're looking forward to the 2021 Dakar Rally

For the second year in a row, the famous Dakar Rally will begin in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah, on the edge of the Red Sea. But much has changed in the 12 months since the last edition. Not only have we experienced the wrath of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the Dakar itself underwent significant change, with new rules and a new route.

But regardless of what has unfolded in the last 12 months, we can be sure that the next two weeks will be filled with off-road action and near-superhuman feats of endurance, courage and determination, as riders and drivers fight for the Dakar crown. Here are six reasons why we’re looking forward to the 43rd running of the Dakar Rally.

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While Dakar has never been unfamiliar with tragedy, the deaths of Paulo Goncalves and Edwin Straver in the 2020 race sparked heated debate over the safety of the race. Many competitors felt the Saudi Arabia route was too fast and too dangerous. For 2021, officials have introduced a new route which will favour technical skill over sheer horsepower.

There are also a number of rules in the name of safety and fairness. Roadbooks will be handed out 20 minutes before the start of each special stage and oral warnings and speed limits will now be provided for hazardous terrain. Limits on tyres and piston changes have been added, and there will be no maintenance allowed at refuelling stages. Additionally, airbag vests are now mandatory. These rules will not only assist with safety, but also hopefully make for a closer and exciting competition.

Until 2020, KTM was untouchable, having won every Dakar Rally since 2001. It wasn’t through lack of trying though – Honda threw everything but the kitchen sink at KTM. A run of bad luck prevented Honda from achieving its goal, but in 2020, American Ricky Brabec finally gave the Japanese manufacturer a victory. For 2021, the Honda and KTM battle will be hotter than ever. Brabec will be looking to defend his title, while KTM’s superstar trio of Toby Price, Sam Sunderland and Matthias Walkner will want to restore natural order. All that said, don’t rule out Yamaha and Husqvarna, while GasGas and Sherco won't be far behind either.

Those who follow off-road and enduro racing will already know of Daniel ‘Chucky’ Sanders, the larrikin kid from an apple orchard in rural Victoria. But his profile could skyrocket after Dakar, especially if he replicates the success that Toby Price had on debut. The 26-year-old will ride for KTM’s development team, and will serve as ‘water boy’ to the factory riders where necessary. But if he is up the front, he’ll be given permission to go for the win.

Like Price in 2015, Chucky enters Dakar with an impressive resume. He has an Australian championship, multiple Hattah Desert Race wins, and an overall win at the International Six Day Enduro to his name. Yes, he is a little bit younger and less experienced than Price was, but he has the speed, flair and determination to cause problems for the front runners.

In addition to the debut of Sanders, we can’t wait to follow the other Aussies in the great race. At the top of the list is Toby Price, the two-time winner, who will be looking to add a third title to the list in 2021. Price has finished on the podium five times in six attempts, making him one of the great Dakar riders in history. The big lad from country NSW has previously hinted at two-wheel retirement, so could a 2021 victory see him hang up the boots? Also flying the Aussie flag will be experienced riders, Andrew Houlihan and Michael Burgess, who will both be participating in their first Dakar Rally.

A new addition in 2021 will be the Dakar Classic. Around 30 historic vehicles will line up on a specially-designed route that will run alongside the regular Dakar route. The event will feature classic cars and trucks from the 80s and 90s, provding a nice throwback for long-time fans of the race. Sadly, there are no classic bikes in 2021, but we have no doubt they will be introduced if the Dakar Classic proves to be a success. How good would it be to see the likes of the BMW R80 G/S, the Honda Africa Twin, and the Yamaha Tenere go around once again?

There are always plenty of familiar faces in the Dakar Rally. As well as the top competitors like Price, Brabec and Pablo Quintanilla, there is also a number of other notable entries. Dakar’s fastest female, Laia Sanz will be back for another run, as she continues to prove that Dakar isn’t just a race for the boys. Also entered in 2021 is former enduro world champion, David Knight, from the Isle of Man. Knight is one of the British Isles’ greatest off-road riders, but he’ll be competing in his first Dakar. The car division also has plenty of familiar faces including former bike winners Cyril Despres and Stephane Peterhansel, and motorsport legends Carlos Sainz, Sebastian Loeb and Nasser Al-Attiyah.

The Dakar Rally begins January 3 and runs through to January 15.