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“ All the emotions just started coming through . The Dakar is the biggest off-road bike race in the world .”
For the first time in its history , Dakar offered two extreme challenges within the first week . Riders were forced to contend with a 48-Hour Chrono as well as a marathon stage .
The 48-Hour Chrono took competitors on a two-day loop through the emptiness of the Saudi deserts . One thousand kilometres without respite , each on their own with just a bike and their wits to support them . This was almost immediately followed by the marathon stage . The marathon is two stages joined , and again without outside support , no teams , no mechanics , just each rider dealing with what may come .
And despite all the hardships it was week two that challenged most . The intensity was driven up a level when the riders were contended with the Empty Quarter desert . The final three days amongst some of the toughest terrain anywhere on the planet . To the local Saudi ’ s this area is known as Rub ’ al Khali ,
Pic : ASO / C . Lopez & Red Bull
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