The 41st staging of the Dakar Rally is underway in Peru. Racers in a variety of stages, including cars, bikes and trucks, tackled the sandy terrain of the opening 247km stage between Lima and Pisco. The UAE's Mohammed Al Balooshi made a solid start in the bikes category, ending the first stage in 44th place, 18 minutes off the pace. Double World Rally Championship title winner Carlos Sainz is second in the cars competition, behind Nasser Al Attiyah. The second stage, between Pisco and San Juan de Marcona, takes place on Tuesday and is 211km in distance. <strong>___________</strong> <strong>Read more</strong> <strong><a href="https://www.thenational.ae/sport/f1/2019-formula-one-wish-list-lewis-hamilton-to-stay-top-honda-to-deliver-for-max-verstappen-1.796087">2019 Formula One wish list: Lewis Hamilton to stay top, Honda to deliver for Max Verstappen</a></strong> <strong><a href="https://www.thenational.ae/sport/other-sport/uae-s-amna-al-qubaisi-hopes-formula-e-test-can-increase-arab-interest-in-motorsport-1.803659">UAE's Amna Al Qubaisi hopes Formula E test can increase Arab interest in motorsport</a></strong> <strong><a href="https://www.thenational.ae/sport/other-sport/emirati-amna-al-qubaisi-becomes-first-arab-woman-to-test-drive-a-formula-e-car-1.803471">Emirati Amna Al Qubaisi becomes first Arab woman to test drive a Formula E car</a></strong> <strong><a href="https://www.thenational.ae/opinion/editorial/saudi-arabia-races-into-the-future-with-formula-e-1.803020">Saudi Arabia races into the future with Formula E</a></strong> <strong>____________</strong>
