Dakar Rally 2018: Day 4 of a legendary rally-raid

The 40th edition of the Dakar Rally kicked off on January 6, 2018 in Lima, Peru. It was the 10th time the event—once famous for linking Paris to Dakar—ran in South America. Across 14 days and roughly 9,000 km, competitors faced around 5,000 km of timed specials: the race sections where speed matters, but navigation and sticking to the official route matter just as much.

A typical special includes two passage controls where riders and crews must check in with race officials. One of those checkpoints also serves as a fuel refuel stop with a mandatory 15-minute halt—a small rule on paper, but one that shapes strategy, pacing, and sometimes the pressure of catching back up.

“Returning to Peru, for a longer stay than in 2012 and 2013, gave us the chance to explore still-unknown sectors, to taste every kind of sand the country has, and to launch the Dakar on a high level. Physically demanding, stunning in terms of scenery, the Bolivian sequence will take adventurers into the realm of extreme endurance. But there will still be decisive tests to pass in Argentina, where the Dakar will reach its peak difficulty—at least in theory—on the Super Fiambalá stage. That’s where you’ll have to shine to triumph in Córdoba.”

— Marc Coma, Dakar Sporting Director

A rally-raid built for variety: categories, terrain, altitude

The Dakar runs across five categories: motorcycles, quads, cars, buggies, and trucks. In 2018, the motorcycle field counted 139 riders representing 29 countries.

The route started in Peru, crossed into Bolivia, then headed to Argentina and the final finish in Córdoba. This edition leaned hard into pure off-road: 7 of the 14 stages were announced as 100% off-piste, and five days were spent above 3,000 meters—where engines feel different, bodies fatigue faster, and small mistakes can cost big.

Now, on Day 4, let’s rewind briefly through the opening sequence and what it already revealed.

Stage 1: Lima → Pisco (about 270 km) — the dunes set the tone

On the first stage—around 270 km from Lima to Pisco—motorcycles started first. Amateur riders launched ahead of the elite class (the pros and main contenders), meaning many rookies met the Dakar’s dunes before the fastest riders even rolled off the start.

Among the 40 “rookies” entered that year, the first real taste of rally-raid sand came with its usual tuition fees: navigation pressure, soft sections, and—inevitably for some—hard falls. On a rally like this, the dunes don’t just test bravery; they punish poor rhythm and reward riders who can stay calm when the bike starts to float.

At the end of Stage 1, Sam Sunderland (UK), winner of the previous edition, took the overall lead. France’s best-placed rider, Adrien Van Beveren, finished fourth. And on the women’s side, Laia Sanz (Spain) delivered a standout result in 12th place—an early reminder that Dakar class is measured in consistency, not noise.

In the car category, Nasser Al-Attiyah—also the previous year’s winner—won the opening stage. Meanwhile, the French Peugeot drivers Stéphane Peterhansel and Sébastien Loeb started more cautiously. Loeb’s day was anything but comfortable: he completed the stage without brakes, a detail that says everything about the improvisation Dakar sometimes demands.

Stage 2 & 3: short, then long — when the order changes everything

Stage 2 flipped the dynamic: cars started before motorcycles, meaning car crews could not benefit from the lines and “reading” left by bikes in sand or broken terrain. In rally-raid, that matters—especially when visibility drops, surfaces change by the kilometer, and the fastest route is rarely obvious.

The second stage stayed relatively short at around 280 km, before a longer Stage 3 of roughly 500 km. It was during this longer day that Nani Roma, one of the favorites for the overall car victory, was forced to retire after a series of rollovers. Dakar doesn’t always eliminate you with one dramatic moment—sometimes it’s the accumulation of impacts and the final piece that won’t hold.

Stage 4 (today): about 450 km, including 330 km of special

Day 4 brings a stage of around 450 km, including roughly 330 km of timed special. That ratio alone tells you the tone: a long racing day, where the concentration load is high and the smallest lapse—missing a line, arriving late to a control, overheating a bike in soft sand—can ripple across the classification.

Planet Ride pro tip (pacing): on long off-road days, the danger isn’t just speed—it’s fatigue stacking. The smartest riders manage risk by riding at a pace they can sustain for the entire special, not for the first 40 kilometers. On dunes especially, keeping a margin in reserve is often what prevents the crash that ends the rally.

Following the rally, and why the Dakar still inspires roadtrips

If you want to track the rally’s live news and official updates, the Dakar website is here: https://www.dakar.com/fr.

And if the Dakar’s dunes light something up in you, it’s worth remembering what this race represents beyond the stopwatch: the art of moving forward when the terrain won’t cooperate, when visibility disappears, when altitude steals your breath, and when you still have to hit the next control. That mix—endurance, navigation, commitment—is exactly what makes rally-raid landscapes so magnetic for a well-built motorized roadtrip.

À savoir aujourd’hui

This piece is a snapshot of Dakar 2018 as it unfolded. The fundamentals remain true—special stages, passage controls, altitude, and the mix of categories—but the Dakar route, rules, and bivouac logistics evolve year to year. If you’re planning a rally-raid-inspired trip, verify current access rules, local off-road regulations, and the latest event format before you go.

Mini-FAQ

How long is the Dakar Rally and what part is actually “raced”?

In 2018, the rally ran for 14 days over about 9,000 km, with roughly 5,000 km of timed specials (the competitive, chronometered sections).

What is a “passage control” during a Dakar special?

A passage control is a mandatory check-in point inside a special stage, where competitors must validate their passage with race officials. One can also be used for refueling and may include a mandatory stop.

Why does altitude matter so much in rally-raid?

High altitude increases fatigue and can affect performance and concentration. In 2018, five days were spent above 3,000 meters, which adds a real endurance layer to already demanding terrain.