Women racing 2023 Dakar Rally face the most daunting challenge to complete 15 days of racing the 45th edition from the Red Sea of Saudi Arabia through the entire continent to Damman on the coast of the Arabian Gulf. From Prologue on December 31 to Stages 1 – 14 with Rest Day in Riyadh on January 9, women rider’s, driver’s and co-driver’s will test their physical, mental, and technical abilities against the best competitors in the world.
With total distance covered of 8,549kms, and 4,706kms timed in Special Stages, the sheer scale and scope of racing The Dakar can be measured against distance travelled from city to city around the world.
For example, total distance competitors will cover is equivalent to distance from Paris to Beijing at 8,212kms, or from Amsterdam to Los Angeles at 8,934kms. Timed Special Stages over 14 days will be equivalent to racing from Milan to Dubai at 4,713kms, or Los Angeles to New York at 3,936kms.
For sure, 2023 Dakar promises to be ever challenging for all entrants, particularly the 4 days racing in the ‘Empty Quarter’ which has been described as the size of France. Sand, dunes, and the ever-chasing-moments of finding wayward markers will either dose the fuel of determination, or deliver buckets loads of despair when problems arise.
Neither following the path of driver’s or rider’s before guarantee completion of each Stage within best possible time, nor will leaving the ‘Dakar Spirit’ for pursuit of individual success, rather choosing to help fellow competitors in dire need to re-enter race or return to bivouac safely.
Women racing 2023 Dakar Rally hold all experience necessary to fulfill all stated above. All women have achieved unprecedented levels of success in their respective disciplines, and all have strength of character to face each day – x15 – with skill, courage, and will power to achieve best possible results on Bike, in Car, in Lightweight Prototype vehicle, on Quad and in Truck category.
With Prologue on December 31st deciding starting order for Stage 1, Bike competitors Mirjam Pol #44, Sandra Gomez #56 and Kirsten Landman #90 will set the tone of racing from Sea Camp to Sea Camp racing 368kms timed.
Recently crowned 2023 Women World Cup of Cross Country Bajas – Mirajm Pol looks in fine form to enter and race her 9th Dakar and will be out to better 2022 Bike standings of P49 in General classification. Equally, Sandra Gomez debut entry in 2022 Dakar Rally produced sensational results posting P62 with her 2nd Dakar likely to be somewhat less anxious knowing the Spanish Enduro rider has all capabilities to match her peers.
Great to see South African rider, Kirsten Landman racing Dakar Rally for 2nd time, having been disappointed to cancel 2022 entry due to COVID. Racing under Malle Moto, Kirsten will have no help, no outside assistance, and will rely on her mentality of focus to race each and every day to her fullest potential.
In Car category, Spanish Dakar Rally Legend Laia Sanz #222 will enter and race her 13th Dakar, consolidating an outstanding record of finishing 12 consecutive Dakar’s in Bike category from 2011 to 2021, having completed 2022 Dakar in P23 in Car classification. Fellow compatriot Monica Plaza #256 will again pair up with her father Manuel Plaza – hoping to make up positions following retirement in Car classification in 2022 Dakar.
Lightweight Prototype category has loaded potential of women driver’s and co-driver’s whose reach for podium status is second to none. Starting with Cristina Gutierrez #302 who finished P3 with co-driver Francois Cazalet in 2022 Dakar, to Legend Dakar Rally driver Camelia Liparoti #311 who claimed P6 in 2022 Dakar with co-driver Xavier Blanco. @cris-tortu recently won 2022 Extreme E Championship, and Camelia won 2022 FIA Middle East Cup in T4 category last weekend, sending strong message – both are in fine form for Dakar 2023.
All female duo of Annett Fischer and Annie Seel #307 will rise to each and every challenge presented over racing 15 days, buoyed by finishing P6 in 2022 FIA Rally-Raid Championship last month. After making debut entry in 2022 Dakar Rally, Merce Marti will pair with Lisette Bakker #323 to advance on previous standings of P33.
The much anticipated pairing of 18 year old Yasmeen Koloc with co-driver Taye Perry #345 will surely add another dimension to encouraging new talent to race Dakar, as will Australia’s Molly Taylor #414 who enjoyed debut entry in 2022 Dakar with co-driver American Andrew Short.
High quality field of Women racing 2023 Dakar Rally which kicks off in Saudi Arabia on December 31 – January 15.
Header photo: 2023 Dakar Rally route Image: ASO.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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