DESAFÍO RUTA 40 DAKAR SERIES 2018: AN EXTREME ROUTE
Once again, the toughest cross-country rally race in our country presents an extreme route through the most stunning landscapes of the northwest of Argentina. The Desafío Ruta 40 2018 will cross the provinces of Tucumán, Catamarca, La Rioja and San Juan in five demanding stages.
As it has for the last ten years, the toughest cross-country rally event of the national calendar will once again challenge the best national and international riders of the specialty. As usual, the organization has prepared a route according to the protagonists that will be part of this event, which in this edition will have the Dakar Series signature and will give points for the FIM Cross Country Rally World Championship.
This year the route will go through classic locations in western Argentina and new sectors within regions that have already proven to be a real «filter» for the competitors in each Desafío Ruta 40.
The dunes and rivers of northern Catamarca will be the first obstacles the riders will have to overcome. Very soft sand that are almost a trap for the cars and navigation through the infinite arms of the dry riverbeds will be the first challenges in the initial stages of the race.
Halfway through the race, a well-known land that always brings surprises and novelties in the classification awaits the convoy: the Fiambala desert. The sand is a bit more compact in this region, but the height of the dunes and their pronounced cuts require the riders to stay alert at all times, while maintaining the right course through this white ocean where it is very easy to lose references.
It will be necessary to save energy for the last two days of the race, as the race begins to gain altitude and the lack of oxygen at over 3500 m.a.s.l. can take its toll on the physical condition of the riders and the engines of the machines. In the end, San Juan and its rugged terrain will be the last hurdle to overcome just at the moment when the race will define its winners.
It will be a week without resting that will surely leave new emotions and that after more than 3,000 kilometers of competition will crown those who can best adapt to these extreme conditions.
