When I first started watching/following the Dakar, last century, it was IMO much more technical, obviously slower and with the top teams using recognisable vehicles but nowadays it seems to be a series of 500 kms sprints. I appreciate that things develop and evolve but this current sprint format works for the big teams but does not work for the majority of entrants. I tend therefore to follow the exploits of the lesser-funded runners because just to finish the Dakar - in any year - is for them a victory in itself.
I am not suggesting that the Dakar is easy - far from it but when looking at the classics class which is working with the clock and not against it, the novice pair of ladies in the Porsche 911 started 1st in the prologue but are now in the bottom third of that class, which suggests to me that that class, although running parallel stages, is more technical, just like it used to be for everyone.
Dakar coverage on Spanish national TV merits nearly 2 hours daily but actually, again IMO, it doesn't do 'off roading' any favours with those whose only exposure to it is via the trailers and the stars - Sainz. Laia Sanz, Christine Guitierrez all making headlines - as it suggests that we tear at top speed across the barren lands and deserts, when in reality OR is technical and personally challenging and it is in our own vehicles that we have to fix if we break them.
Regards,
Rodger