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Shorter, more intense

Offer to competitors a shorter, more intense course, with varied stages and a balance between the difficulties, was the way we have worked for the 2005 edition. With two stages and hundreds kilometres less than last year, this 27th edition of the Telefonica-Dakar is shorter in length, particularly the itinerary for assistance vehicles which has been reduced by approximately 40%. On the ground, the best will show their worth via their navigating ability rather than by the performance of their vehicles.

The flavour of the 2005 edition

Key Sporting Details of the Race

• 3 stages in Spain
• 2 stages in Morocco
• 6 stages in Mauritania
• 2 stages in Mali
• 3 stages in Senegal

• The longest stage: Barcelone > Grenade (919 km)
• The shortest stage: Barcelone > Barcelone (18 km)
• The longest special: Zouérat > Tichit (660 km)
• The shortest special: Barcelone > Barcelone (4 km)

• 2 marathon-stages
Zouérat > Tichit
Kiffa > Bamako
On each of these stages, vehicles will be placed in a parc fermé and assistance vehicles will not be present at the bivouac.
• GPS points: Most stages will focus on the competitors navigation skills. Only GPS points of CP and the end of the special will be indicated.

• A total 8956 km including 5431 km of special and 3525 km of liaison.

Super-Special: in Barcelona on the 31st December
• Start of the first motorcycle competitor from the Parc Fermé at 10h45.
• Start of the Super Special at 11h15. For this Super Special, motorcycle competitors will start in reverse number order but car and truck competitors will start in order of their numbers.
The last competitor should arrive at approximately 16h30.

Start: Place d’Espagne in Barcelona on the 1st January
• From 10h00 for the first motorcycle.
• Motorcycle competitors will start in reverse number order but cars and trucks will start in order of their numbers.

Special: in Granada on the 2nd January
• Motorcycle competitors will start in the reverse order of the classification of the Super Special in Barcelona.
• Cars and trucks will start in the order of the classification of the Super Special in Barcelona.

Rest day: in Atâr on the 9th January

Finish: Lac Rose in Dakar on the 16th January
• Finish, podium, prize-giving at Lac Rose.
• An evening of celebrating at the Club Med for all rally “followers” will close this 27th edition of the Dakar.