RUST magazine: RUST#41

DAKAR 2019 RETROSPECTIVE
DON’T FALL IN THE HOLE
Sand dunes, by some good fortune for the
ASO, are endlessly fascinating and lend endless
possibilities for the media crews. They’re
endlessly tough for the riders though – and be
sure to check before you leap off the top of one.
“IT COULD BE THAT
THE ADVENTURE SIDE
OF THINGS IS PRETTY
MUCH IRRELEVANT
THESE DAYS”
situation under control – and
apparently not succeeding. There is
also the small problem of the Africa
Eco race, which has taken their spot
both in terms of time and place. It
is highly likely that if the Dakar did
decide to return there, the powers that
be could be persuaded to push Eco
Race organisers Jean Louis Schlesser
and Rene Metge to one side. But one
of the reasons the Eco Race gets away
with operating in the region is their
relatively low-profile. The Dakar might
be many things but low-profile isn’t
one of them.
During the rally there were rumours
of the Dakar moving to South Africa
and Namibia but this would seem
unlikely, too, as the sandy bit of
Namibia is basically a huge national
park. A more likely solution is the
United Arab Emirates and Oman
– plenty of sand and mountains in
Oman. Not very sexy perhaps but a
big enough playground at a pinch.
My money would be on the Dakar
remaining in South America for the
near future, especially if ASO accept
that host countries aren’t going to pay
‘welcome money’ while in recession.
Very unusually ASO didn’t announce
next year’s route at the end of this
edition, which suggests even they
don’t know where it is going in 2020.
w
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