The world’s most grueling rally is returning to Saudi Arabia in 2024 with several changes that are sure to challenge even the most experienced racers.

The 46th edition of the Dakar Rally will start in AlUla on January 5 and finish in Yanbu on the shores of the Red Sea after a 7,891 km trek on roads, tracks and dunes—including 4,727 km of special stages. One of the biggest changes to the race in 2024 is the introduction of a 48-hour “Chrono” stage through the Empty Quarter, where competitors will be required to halt their progress at a specific time and bivouac in the desert—scattered among eight camps and left to their own devices.

“We took it upon ourselves to make the fifth edition of Saudi Arabia the toughest one since the race came to the Middle East,” says rally director David Castera.

Following the Chrono Stage—which is sure to scatter the title contenders to the four winds on the eve of the rest day in Riyadh—the second week will have all the ingredients needed to keep fans on the edge of their seats. Alternating extreme stages and courses that will give entrants a bit of a breather, the competitors will get several opportunities to surge up the standings on the road to Al Duwadimi, on the return trip to AlUla or in the final approach to Yanbu.

Until the eve of the finale, which features the toughest stage of the second week, the odd-numbered stages offer the best risk-to-reward ratio, although the competitors will have to keep their eyes peeled to dodge the navigational pitfalls that litter the desert throughout this new Saudi odyssey.

In all, 354 vehicles—including 137 motorcycles—will face this formidable route, which will also set the scene for the inaugural round of the third season of the World Rally-Raid Championships.

For more information on the big changes to the 2024 Dakar Rally, check out our roundup article.

Highlights will be broadcast for United States viewers on NBC Sports or online at Red Bull TV.

Details: Dakar Rally