Today competitors will rise to over 3000 metres above see level before dropping down again on their way down they’ll cross a 20km section of dunes.
The special covers a meagre 220km for the bikes/quads and 284km for the cars/trucks, stage 3 is a bit of a breather for the competitors.
The organisers have this to say about Stage 3:
“The pressure which competitors faced the day before, (and late into the night for some of them) will partly ease off on the road to Chilecito. The shorter and less intense stage will allow them to enjoy their majestic surroundings. The red earth tracks, overlooking steep peaks and plunging down into canyons, will take the Dakar through one of the most beautiful regions of Argentina. But no-one should be tempted to sit back and enjoy the view, particularly on the motorcycle and quad bike routes which include some gruelling sections. With thousands of stones to be avoided, it will only take one to ruin this magnificent day!”
Thousands of stones?!?!
Lets hope it’s less like this – the Carl’s Diner section of Erzberg Rodeo
More like this – a nice hard pack gravel fire road
Knowing Dakar, it’ll probably be both of these and every possible permutation in between!
For the full breakdown of the distances and terrain check out the Stage 3 route