The 2016 Dakar has come to a close with the final stage of the race being completed yesterday. Coming out on top was Team Peugeot driver Stephane Peterhansel, winning his sixth Dakar in the car category and bringing his total wins in the Dakar to 12.

“It’s extraordinary. The pressure was very high, but we came through. Crossing the finish line was a release after the extremely stressful last three days. I’m also delighted to write a new page in the history of Peugeot because the guys in the team have been working their socks off for two years.”

Nasser Al-Attiyah during the final stage of Dakar. Photo sourced from: Dakar

“Some of my wins count more than others, but this one’s definitely in the top three. It’s too early to think about the future. One thing’s for sure, getting the same number of victories on a bike and in a car was the last big goal in my career. Now that it’s done, I don’t think there are many things left to motivate me,” an ecstatic Peterhansel said after the race.

Coming in second place was Nasser Al-Attiyah with Team Mini. Al-Attiyah gave Team Peugeot a run for their money the whole rally. Al-Attiyah after the final stage said, “Two men had me worried before the start of the Dakar: Stephane Peterhansel and Giniel De Villiers. In the end, it’s the three of us on the podium. Stéphane is very smart and Giniel is very constant, he can do a good job.”

Photo sourced from: Dakar

“I’m happy to finish second, a decent performance. I expected to be on the podium when the race started, but I wasn’t sure on which step. Second, I’m very happy. I’d like to thank my sponsors for their support. We’ll see about the future, I’m free. I haven’t got a contract for next year,” he continued.

This year was a rough year for the Robby Gordon and Team Speed Energy. Gordon finished 25th overall in this year’s Dakar, while his rookie teammate, Sheldon Creed, was disqualified stages ago for missing to many check points. Gordon will not have much down time as next up for him is King of the Hammers which he will be racing in a Artic Cat Wildcat.

Robby Gordon doing what he does best, drive. Photo sourced from: Dakar

Dakar showed once again what makes it one of the toughest races in the world this year, from flooding to extreme heat there was a little bit of everything. On top of the weather conditions drivers had a stages cancelled, shortened, and protested. This will not be the last we have heard about the 2016 Dakar as there is still a protest against the overall winner because of when he refueled during one of the stages. “Never before in the Dakar do I remember having a situation like this,” commented rally director Etienne Lavigne.

Do you think desert racing drivers and teams have a chance in the Dakar with drivers like Bryce Menzies and Tavo Vildósola saying they want to compete? Tell us in the comments below!

Photo sourced from: Planet Robby