The third stage of the Dakar will be shortened

While the Dakar 2025 has only just begun, the main part of the 48-hour stage has already been completed for the best. We will still have to digest it, even though there was no shortage of twists and turns and the competitors, like the machines, sometimes emerge very tested.

To make matters worse, the weather conditions for the next few days are not always the most clement in Saudi Arabia. After several days spent at the Bisha bivouac, the third stage scheduled for Tuesday will take the Dakar caravan to Al Henakiyah, where storms are currently raging.

It is this context which pushed the organizers to react and adapt the terrain for the next few hours, by cutting the next special stage. Initially planned for 496 km, it will ultimately only have 327 timed kilometers, with a technical start to the course but everyone described as rolling to make the transition.

“The challenge of the 48H stage was taken up by the Dakar competitors despite its demands, and the efforts required of the drivers and co-drivers have placed this sequence among the choice pieces of recent years of racing”explain the organizers this Monday.

“Storms are heavily raining down on the Al Henakiyah region and their activity is likely to continue. As a result, the organizers have decided to activate a lighter alternative solution for tomorrow's program.”

“A more accessible stage has been designed to give breathing space to organisms and machines, which will be called upon again during the marathon format stage on January 8 and 9. The finish of the special will be judged at kilometer 327 of the route initial (496 km), which will eliminate 169 kilometers of passages hit by rain.”

However, the bivouac departure times are maintained, namely 5:20 a.m. (3:20 a.m. in France) for the first motorcycle and 7:45 a.m. (5:45 a.m. in France) for the first car.