Lima - For its 40th edition, the 10th to be held in South America, the Dakar rally is revisiting the Pacific Ocean and the dunes of Peru, which drivers and riders will tackle after a few days sampling the delights of the capital, Lima.
Competitors will then head through to Bolivia and Argentina.
The 40th edition of the Dakar Rally also marks the 10th anniversary of the race’s move from North Africa to South America.
Here are recent winners of the Dakar Rally ahead of the 2018 edition which gets under way in Lima on Saturday:
Cars
2017: Stephane Peterhansel/Jean-Paul Cottret (FRA/Peugeot)
2016: Setphane Peterhansel/Jean-Paul Cottret (FRA/Peugeot)
2015: Nasser Al-Attiyah/Matthieu Baumel (QAT/FRA/Mini)
2014: Nani Roma/Michel Prin (ESP/FRA/Mini)
2013: Stphane Peterhansel/Jean-Paul Cottret (FRA/Mini)
2012: Stphane Peterhansel/Jean-Paul Cottret (FRA/Mini)
2011: Nasser Al-Attiyah/Timo Gottschalk (QAT/GER/Volkswagen)
2010: Carlos Sainz/Lucas Cruz (ESP/Volkswagen)
2009: Giniel de Villiers/Dirk Von Zitzewitz (RSA/GER/Volkswagen)
2007: Stphane Peterhansel/Jean-Paul Cottret (FRA/Mitsubishi)
Motorbikes
2017: Sam Sunderland (GBR/KTM)
2016: Toby Price (AUS/KTM)
2015: Marc Coma (ESP/KTM)
2014: Marc Coma (ESP/KTM)
2013: Cyril Despres (FRA/KTM)
2012: Cyril Despres (FRA/KTM)
2011: Marc Coma (ESP/KTM)
2010: Cyril Despres (FRA/KTM)
2009: Marc Coma (ESP/KTM)
2007: Cyril Despres (FRA/KTM)
Note: The 2008 race was cancelled due to the threat of terrorist attacks in Mauritania, since when the event has been staged in South America.