South Africa’s Henk Lategan gained the Dakar Rally prologue within the automobiles class on Friday, kicking off the sixth version in Saudi Arabia that may stretch almost 8 000km throughout 12 phases.

For the most recent Dakar Rally information, bookmark The South African website’s devoted part for free-to-read content material

Lategan, driving a Toyota Hilux, completed a second away from Sweden’s Mattias Ekstrom over the 29km run in Bisha, with five-time Dakar champion Nasser al-Attiyah of Qatar third.

The prologue occasions don’t depend in the direction of the general standings however these within the prime 10 get to decide on their beginning place for the primary stage on Saturday, a 499km route that includes 413km of timed sectors.

Sebastien Loeb got here seventh however Carlos Sainz, who turned the oldest winner of the race final yr on the age of 61, was down in twenty fifth place.

Loeb, a nine-time world rally champion, is chasing a primary Dakar crown in his ninth try.

Colourful caravan of automobiles, bikes, quads and vehicles

Australian Daniel Sanders was the quickest of the motorbikes on his KTM, forward of Botswana’s Ross Branch and Spanish teenager Edgar Canet.

Reigning champion Ricky Brabec of Honda got here dwelling fourth quickest.

A 434-strong vibrant caravan made up of automobiles, bikes, quads and vehicles set out from Bisha for the opening prologue.

Twelve phases now await the 778 opponents from 72 nations, with a January 17 end in Shubaytah, on the border of the United Arab Emirates.

This yr’s route features a second 48-hour stage within the Empty Quarter, an enormous sea of sand with dunes so far as the attention can see.

The forty seventh operating of the occasion could also be known as the Dakar, however the final time the Senegalese capital truly hosted the end was manner again in 2007 – the safety state of affairs in Mauritania compelled the 2008 cancellation.

It moved then to South America till discovering a brand new dwelling in Saudi Arabia since 2020.

The Saudis are spending billions to show the conservative Arab monarchy usually criticised for its human rights report into a significant sporting power because it tries to diversify its financial system away from oil.

The 12-stage route of the forty seventh Dakar Rally, which kicked off with a prologue in Bisha, Saudi Arabia, on Friday and ends in Shubaytah on January 17:

January 3, prologue: Bisha – Bisha, 79km (29km particular)

January 4, 1st stage: Bisha – Bisha, 499km (413)

January 5+6, 2nd stage: Bisha – Bisha, 992km (947km) for motorbikes; 1 058km (967km) for automobiles

January 7, third stage: Bisha – Al-Henakiyah, 847km (495km)

January 8, 4th stage:  Al-Henakiyah – Alula, 588km (415km)

January 9, fifth stage: Alula – Hail, 492km (428km)

January 10, REST DAY – Hail

January 11, sixth stage: Hail – Al-Duwadimi, 828km (604km)

January 12, seventh stage: Al-Duwadimi – Al-Duwadimi, 719km (455km) for motorbikes; 742km (478km) for automobiles

January 13, eighth stage: Al-Duwadimi – Riyadh, 733km (483km) for motorbikes; 737km (487km) for automobiles

January 14, ninth stage: Riyadh – Haradh, 589km (357km)

January 15, tenth stage: Haradh – Shubaytah, 635km (115km) for motorbikes; 640km (120km) for automobiles

January 16, eleventh stage: Shubaytah – Shubaytah, 539km (307km) for motorbikes; 507km (275km) for automobiles

January 17, twelfth stage: Shubaytah – Shubaytah, 131km (61km)

Are you a Dakar Rally fan?

Let us know by clicking on the remark tab under this text or by emailing info@thesouthafrican.com or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1

Subscribe to The South African web site’s newsletters and observe us on WhatsApp for the most recent information.