Covering a total distance of 5000 kilometres, the Dakar Rally is one of the most prestigious rally events in the world. The 2019 edition being held in the sand dunes of Peru in South America, several teams are competing for top honours in their respective class along with challenging environments. With lots of action involving big jumps and jaw-dropping near misses, here’s a photo gallery of the first 5 Stages of the 2019 Dakar Rally.
The 2019 Dakar Rally is being run on a new loop rally-route featuring some breath-taking sceneries of sand and dunes stretching beyond the horizon. This shot was taken during Stage 1 of the rally between Lima to Pisco.
Here we can see Adrian Metge from Sherco TVS Rally Factory team riding the dunes on the RTR 450 during stage 1 of the rally.
Riding alongside the coast connecting Pisco to San Juan de Marcona, here’s Sam Sunderland from KTM Factory Racing Team in action on his KTM motorcycle.
Putting the suspension to its full use, here’s Toby Price from Australia representing KTM Factory Racing Team as he rides the dunes on his KTM motorcycle.
With the throttle wide open, here’s Sam Sunderland again riding into the horizon on his KTM machine during Stage 3 of the Rally between San Juan de Marcona to Arequipa.
Making way through the soft sand is Lorenzo Santolino from Spain on the Sherco TVS Rally Factory motorcycle during Stage 3 of the rally.
Standing tall on the pegs with the front wheel in the air is Paulo Goncalves riding the Honda from Monster Energy Honda Team during Stage 3 between San Juan de Marcona and Arequipa.
From sand dunes to scatted rock fragments, the 2019 Dakar rally has a challenge around every corner. Here we can see Michael Metge of Sherco TVS Rally Factory sliding his way out on the RTR 450 during Stage 4 of the rally from Arequipa to Moquegua.
Jakes Dakar Team motorcycle no. 21 ridden by Ivan Jakes during Stage 5 of the rally between Moquegua to Arequipa.
Going flat-out during one of the sections in Stage 5 for the rally between Moquegua to Arequipa is Sam Sunderland, KTM Factory Racing Team.
The magnitude of the vastness of the sand dunes is simply stunning. Here we can see a rider stride upon his motorbike climbing towards the crest of one of the dunes.