Dakar 2024 doubles down with tougher format

If you thought the four Dakar events to have run in Saudi Arabia seemed tough, this year’s fifth edition in the desert kingdom aims to take things to a whole new level.

Since the rally raid event moved to Saudi in 2020, it has evolved with every running, and the 2024 edition will continue that trend by featuring 778 competitors, a route in excess of 4800 miles that will take in 60% new territory, plus a gruelling 48-hour timed stage.

Dakar 2024 will start from AlUla on January 5 and travel on a huge loop across the country before finishing at Yanbu on January 19. By far the toughest new addition is a two-day marathon through the desert of the Empty Quarter, which is exactly as it sounds. Crews must fend for themselves across the 48 hours, with only a simple bivouac to camp in for a few hours, and no outside technical assistance available for the 370-mile duration.

Five-time Dakar winner Nasser Al-Attiyah will handle a Prodrive Hunter for this edition before joining Dacia’s works team, alongside Sébastien Loeb, for 2025.