From the start of the 39th edition of the Dakar in Asunción this January 2nd, all eyes will be focused on the confrontation between the Peugeot crews, led by defending car category winner Stéphane Peterhansel, the Toyotas who have a new team leader in Nasser Al Attiyah, and the Minis who will be spearheaded by 2016 revelation Mikko Hirvonen, who finished 4th in his first Dakar.
Stéphane Peterhansel is perhaps once again the overwhelming favourite for the 2017 edition. But the defending champion is also among the best placed to know that the vagaries of the Dakar are multiple and sometimes cruel. Especially with the level of the competition, which has become more and more imposing and he need look no further than his stable mates in the Peugeot Dream Team.
Carlos Sainz is still a rival not to be taken lightly, and his two younger team mates have made clear cut progress. For his third participation in the car category, Cyril Despres comes into the 2017 Dakar with an impressive victory on the Silk Way Rally in July, where Sébastien Loeb won one of the most demanding special stages.
