The 2014 Dakar Rally kicked off last Sunday from the Argentinian town of Rosario as over three hundred competitors set out to tackle nearly 5000km of South American off road racing. Hit the jump for more pictures a couple of video recaps and very few words about the start of the 2014 Dakar Rally.
There’s not much to say about the 2014 Dakar Rally, yet. The first day is traditionally a short shakedown stage and in the long run it doesn’t mean a lot. This year was notable with a win by Carlos Sousa in the GWH/Haval H8, a Chinese manufactured truck by Great Wall Motor Company Limited. I could be wrong but I’m pretty sure that Sousa’s win marks the first time a Chinese manufacturer has won a stage of the Dakar.
Unfortunately, Robby Gordon continued his run of bad luck and lost nearly 2 hours on the first stage.
Watch a video recap of Stage 1:
Stage 2 proved that experience pays during the Dakar as the X-raid MINI team dominated the competition. Lead by the legendary Peterhansel, who took the overall lead with typical Gallic indifference, the MINI Team dominated the standings.
Only Carlos Sainz SMG buggy could spoil the party by finishing 2nd.
In the motorcycle class HRC Honda’s Joan Barreda continued to lead the rally with teammate Sam Sunderland blazing to a victory in stage two of the 2014 Dakar Rally.
Rally favorites Coma and Despres struggled a bit but they are both within striking distance to the leader and this year’s race could shake out to be a great manufacturer battle with four different manufacturers represented in the top ten.
For more on the 2014 Dakar Rally check out the official site: www.dakar.com
And for more pictures of this year’s Dakar check out this little gallery.
