The 12th running of the Dakar Rally took place from January 1 to January 16, 1990. The route started in Paris and finished in Dakar, Senegal. To avoid security concerns in Algeria, the route was modified to travel through Tunisia and Libya before heading south through Niger and Mali. Ari Vatanen won the car category driving a Peugeot, while Edi Orioli won the motorcycle category.
The 12th edition of the Dakar Rally officially began in Paris. The route was notably altered to bypass Algeria due to security concerns, sending competitors through Tunisia and Libya instead.
After completing the initial European stages in France, competitors boarded ferries to cross the Mediterranean Sea, arriving in Tunisia to begin the African stages of the rally.
The rally convoy traveled from Tunisia to Libya, navigating through the vast Libyan Desert. This route change was implemented to avoid the increasingly dangerous regions of Algeria.
Driving a Peugeot 405 T16, Ari Vatanen established a commanding lead in the car category as the rally pushed through the challenging dunes of Niger, showcasing exceptional speed and reliability.
Edi Orioli, riding a Cagiva, solidified his lead in the motorcycle category during the grueling stages in Mali, navigating the difficult terrain with precision and endurance.
The 1990 rally concluded at Lac Rose (Lake Retba) in Dakar. Ari Vatanen secured his third Dakar Rally victory in the cars, and Edi Orioli claimed his second victory in the motorcycles.