Rally Start in Paraguay
The 2017 Dakar Rally began with a ceremonial start in Asunción, Paraguay, marking the first time the country hosted the start of the prestigious rally-raid event.
The 2017 Dakar Rally was the 39th edition of the event, held from January 2 to January 14, 2017. It started in Asunción, Paraguay, and finished in Buenos Aires, Argentina, passing through Bolivia. Stéphane Peterhansel won his 13th Dakar title in the car category, while Sam Sunderland claimed his first victory in the motorcycle category.
The 2017 Dakar Rally began with a ceremonial start in Asunción, Paraguay, marking the first time the country hosted the start of the prestigious rally-raid event.
Stage 2 was partially cancelled for motorcycles and quads due to extreme weather conditions, specifically heavy rain and fog, which made the timed special stage unsafe for competitors.
Competitors reached La Paz, Bolivia, concluding the first part of the marathon stage where they had to service and manage their own vehicles overnight without assistance from their teams.
Stage 9 was cancelled for the car and truck categories due to landslides and adverse weather conditions on the route towards Salta, Argentina, forcing organizers to prioritize safety.
The rally concluded in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with the final podium celebrations marking the end of the grueling 9,000+ kilometer journey across South America.
Sam Sunderland became the first British rider to win the Dakar Rally in the motorcycle category, securing the victory riding for the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team.
Stéphane Peterhansel secured his 13th overall Dakar Rally victory in the car category, driving a Peugeot 3008 DKR, further extending his record as the most successful competitor in the event's history.