The first day of the Dakar Rally was held today to coincide with the end of the year, with the riders taking part in the 13-kilometer prologue stage that determined the starting order for tomorrow, when the real Dakar 2023 begins.

Carlos Sainz and Lucas Cruz (Audi RS Q e-tron) have finished in sixth position in a day where there was little to gain and much to lose, the Spanish drivers have finished the prologue just 14 seconds behind the winner of the short timed section, Mattias Ekstrom (Audi RS Q e-tron), tomorrow Carlos and Lucas will start from fifth position in the 367 kilometers against the clock.

Carlos Sainz: “Today’s prologue was a route marked by a machine on a flat and the truth is that I did not do very well, difficult to memorize, but no excuses, the car has not had any problems, everything went well. Tomorrow the party starts and I will start from fifth place”.

SEA CAMP > SEA CAMP – Link > 234 km – Special > 367 km
Seriousness quickly takes over with a complete loop that will require a multi-skilled driver. Stony sections, more like “gravel”, will precede some sandy tracks. To round off the program, the novices will have the opportunity to test their skills on the first dunes. The test does not offer great difficulties, but it will allow you to identify the competitors who are most proficient.