All Stories DAKAR

By Robb Pritchard, Off-Road correspondent

The suspense of who will take victory in Dakar is heating up. Those who already have the "legend" status will yearn to take another; while those who challenge will not give up the fight nor their dreams.

KTM, the brand whose factory teams and bikes have sealed eleven consecutive Dakar Rally victories named their U.S. offroad rider Caselli as the substitute for the injured 2012 DAKAR champion.

The death of Thomas Bourgin has been reported by the Dakar organizers on the seventh day of the rally.

Coma injured his left shoulder in Rally Morocco and now has to sit out this year's challenge in Argentina, Chile and Peru.

Peterhansel now has 11 Dakar wins! Despres earns another title to make it five in total. Patronelli takes his second championship. New to the legend status was Nikolaev.

Team-by-team preview for the Pan-American challenge in Peru, Argentina and Chile. While the location has changed over the years, the 35th edition will continue the tradition of being extremely demanding on the drivers and their equipment.

Eric Mauk

There is one race that stands alongside the likes of the Le Mans and Daytona 24 Hours, the Baja 1000 and Indy 500 as a stand alone event so highly regarded that it doesn't need to be part of any championship... one where legends win, heroes finish...

By: Robb Pritchard, Cross country rally Correspondent

Honda steps into the fray as an official motorcycle manufacturer to take the fight to KTM

Stage 2 was a loop around Pisco in Peru, and the one where the Dakar 2013 competitors faced the sand dunes! After an 85 km liaison section, the 242 km special was their first test on the sea of sand.

By: Pep Cifre, Rally Raid Reporter

Silk Way Rally, Russia

449 racing machines were scheduled to start in this year’s edition of the Dakar! The route for the opening stage in Peru was an easy one taking them from Lima to Pisco.

By: Pep Cifre, Rally Raid Reporter

By Robb Pritchard and Marina Kosenkova, Off-Road correspondents

Robby Gordon crashed and Carlos Sainz got lost as Nasser Al-Attiyah edged his buggy closer to the leading Mini today. Husqvarna and Yamaha both won big in Bikes, while the Trucks lead finally shuffles.

By: Pep Cifre, Rally Raid Reporter

Exclusive to Motorsport.com - Red Bull Dakar blog by Tim Sturtridge.

Wet Argentinean stage ends early for Cars and officials delay final call. Barreda takes Bikes win in morning, though, while category leaders run astray.

X-Raid Team is running six MINIs ALL4 Racing in the 2013 Dakar challenge. Peterhansel, Roma, and Holowczyc are the first-line candidates for the win.

The scrutineering village has offered the crowds the chance to taste the atmosphere of the race and to be photographed with some of the race vehicles.