2020 Dakar Stage 1 took place in Saudi Arabia today. The stage consisted of 319 km of racing and a 433 km liaison section. There were some worrying moments for all teams as the 2020 Dakar started in earnest today, after yesterday’s ceremonial start in Jeddah.

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Ups and downs

It was Nasser Al-Attiyah who led much of the coastal route from Jeddah to Al Wajh. But three punctures late in the stage meant the defending champ would relinquish the lead. Late in the stage the lead passed to Mini X-Raid driver Vaidotas Zala. The 32-year-old Lithuanian claimed his first stage win in his fifth Dakar. Past rally winners Stephane Peterhansel and Carlos Sainz made it a Mini 1-2-3 on day one of the event. Al-Attiyah was the first non-Mini driver home in fourth place.

Fiery exit

Le Mans 24 Hours and Pikes Peak winner Romain Dumas’ campaign to win Dakar ended after 65 km as his DXX buggy caught fire. He and his navigator escaped without injury.

South-African hopes took an early knock as 2009 winner Giniel de Villiers suffered no fewer than four punctures, which cost him dearly. The Cape Town lad would end the day in 14th place, 23 min off the pace set by the leaders. But, it is a long race and anything can happen in the following days. Formula One champ, and De Villiers’ team-mate, Fernando Alonso was also plagued with flat tyres and would end his first stage in 11th, a full 15 minutes and 27 seconds off the leader.

Bikes and trucks

Toby Price has started the 2020 Dakar just like he ended the 2019 event, with a stage win. The reigning champion is the first leader of the rally ahead of Ricky Brabec. Anton Shibalov in the Kamaz-Master claimed is maiden Dakar stage win and now leads the truck field.