Wouldn't be the Dakar if they weren't constantly in flux...

08:25
Route modification

Due to localised flooding, several fords over rivers will not be possible. As a result, for safety reasons, the organisers have been forced to move the start to the 52-km mark on the route initially planed for the first special stage... Consequently, this first timed section between Colon and Cordoba will last for 168 km for bikes and quads and 199 km for cars and trucks... This means that the start times for each category have been postponed by 30 minutes. This first special will therefore start at 9.30 local time (12.30 GMT), with the winner of last year’s bike category, Spaniard Marc Coma (KTM) kicking off proceedings.