A press conference was held in Qiddiya this week in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Abdulazi bin Turki AlFaisal Al Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Sultan Abdullah Al Faisal for an official reception welcoming the 42nd edition of the Dakar to Saudi Arabia.
Adrien Van Beveren, Joan Barreda, Sam Sunderland and, of course, local hero Yazeed Al-Rajhi have already put their names down for the race.
Saudi Arabia is the largest country on the Arabian Peninsula, from 5 to 17 January, 2020. The rally, which began its nomadic life in Africa and then jumped to South America, has made Asia its new home.
Jeddah, the economic heart of the country, will host the start of the rally, launching a journey of more than 9,000 kilometres to the future Qiddiya complex, not far from Riyadh, where the rest day will take place.
Come January 2020, the Dakar will make its first foray into its 30th host country, Saudi Arabia. After three decades in
Africa and eleven editions held in South America, the drivers, riders and crews of the greatest rally on Earth have been invited
to write a new chapter of its history in the largest country in the Middle East.
Saudi Arabia
The lands of Saudi Arabia, extending from the Red Sea in the west to the Arabian Gulf in the east, contain vast desert expanses with a mosaic of terrains and all the ingredients for a well-rounded route.
Classic Dakar concepts such as adventure and discovery will feature heavily in the rally as it heads into these sparsely
inhabited regions where the drivers and riders have never raced before.
The uncharted terrain will make sure that none of the pretenders to the crown has a home field advantage. The mountain areas near the border with Jordan will take the competitors deep into a maze of valleys, while the dunes in the “Empty Quarter” —some of which rise to over 250 metres high— will set the stage for dune-surfers to shine.
Saudi Arabia
His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki AlFaisal Al Saud, Chairman of the Saudi Arabia General Sports Authority
“We are thrilled that Rally Dakar, an event with a huge global appeal, is coming to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Middle East for the first time. Saudi Dakar 2020 will be a journey through breath taking scenery, unknown landscapes, unexpected challenges, untold stories and unbelievable memories. Together, Saudi Arabia & the Dakar Rally will write a new chapter and tell a new story, a story of how the greatest race on Earth and the most ambitious social mission on the planet – Vision 2030 – united to redefine the human adventure.”
Saudi Arabia
David Castera, director of the Dakar
“Africa, South America… and now Asia. The third chapter of its history is particularly fascinating and exciting for a race
focused on exploration like the Dakar. Here, in the largest state in the region, we can let our imagination run riot with the infinite possibilities for a tough, balanced and varied course. The sporting challenge that we are putting together for the 42nd edition will tap the full potential of this vast country and its mosaic of deserts, mountains, canyons, valleys and coastal landscapes.”
Raul Castells – Monster Energy Honda Team Manager
“We had been waiting for the Dakar to change continent and visit some new landscapes. Everything will be brand new, for the most part, and it adds a great incentive to the race. As always, the ASO will organize the event with their best guarantees. It will be a new test and a new challenge for all. We accept the decision and we are also anxious to get the new adventure started and see what the Middle Eastern race will bring us for us. On the other hand, we wish to thank all the South American public and the countries that have hosted the Dakar over the eleven editions and also Honda South America for the support they have given us in our seven participations in the Americas. Hopefully this new adventure in Saudi Arabia, for at least five years, will be a favourable one. We will try our hardest to win the race.”
Saudi Arabia
Source: MCNews.com.au