In a contrast to the incredible heights (5,000m plus) reached in South America in previous years, the highest point of the rally this year will be a mere 1,400m, reached on Stage 3, in a looping 504km course starting and ending in Neom. The following day, riders and drivers will be treated to historic delights in the form of the Nabatean temples.
And on the 12th January, fresh from their first rest day in the capital, Riyadh, the pilots will dive straight into Stage 7, the longest stage, with a 195km liason and 546km Special from Riyadh to Wadi Al Dawasir, which promises one of the most varied routes of the entire rally.
Stage 9 sees competitors head into Saudi Arabia’s Empty Quarter, as they wind their way from Wadi Al Dawasir to Haradh, across a huge 476km liason and a 410km Special, the latter promising hard ground and rough riding.
Stage 10 signals the start of the Marathon stage, as competitors ride a 534km special into the depths of the Empty Quarter, where they bivvy for the night without their support teams. Here, the only mechanical aide they will receive is from one another – a brief taste of the challenges faced by competitors in the Original by Motul class. The following morning will bring 80km of Saudi’s finest dunes.
And finally, Friday 17th January will host the last stage, with a 73km liason followed by a 374km Special to decide the winner of the overall rally, while a 20 km special section will select the winner of the separate Qiddiyah Trophy, without impacting the general classification.
Images courtesy of Motorsport Images.