PETERHANSEL Stéphane
When you’re a rally-raid driver, you enjoy racing and discovering new things. This is what the Dakar’s all about. 25 years ago, I rode a rally raid in the Saudi desert on a motorbike. I saw dunes, lakes… It was amazing.
VAN BEVEREN Adrien
I’m always excited about discovering new countries, and this time we’re entering completely uncharted territory. We’ll all be on an equal footing here because none of my rivals knows this country.
ROMA Joan « nani »
I’ve seen pictures, it almost feels like we’re back at Elephant Rock in Mauritania, it’s astonishing! Throughout my career, I’ve raced in many deserts around the world. This new step into the unknown will again force us to adapt. It’s what we love to do.
SUNDERLAND Sam
Originally the Dakar has always had that kind of spirit: going on a new adventure and discovering new places. I’m sure there are going to be many new challenges in Saudi Arabia that nobody is expecting. It’s certainly something I’m really excited about. Saudi Arabia has a big potential to have a great mixture of types of terrain with navigation in off-piste, rivers, mountains. I can’t wait.
DE ROOY Gérard
It’s a new direction and I think it’s the right one. I’m sure we’ll find all the ingredients we need to put together a complete Dakar.
DE VILLIERS Giniel
We know that there will be great terrain and it should make for a great race. I know they have mountains and gravel roads as well but it will be mostly desert racing and that’s what the Dakar is all about.
SANZ Laia
Turning over a new page can only be a good thing, and I’m really motivated to discover new deserts. South America will always have a place in my heart, but the Dakar goes on.
AL RAJHI Yazeed
A great feeling, in fact, I can’t describe it exactly, it is amazing to see the Dakar Rally in my country. There is another positive aspect: I will not have to fly a long distance, maybe I’ll drive my car from my house to the rally’s start line! I would like to commend the efforts of His Royal Highness Crown Prince to promote sport generally, motor sports specifically. The nature of the Dakar Rally assumes that it is a desert rally, this is available in Saudi Arabia, don’t forget that we have the Empty Quarter, one of the world’s largest and most mysterious deserts.