Dakar Rally: Rugged racers cross desert and dune in South America

The 40th Dakar Rally is underway. Racers began in Lima, Peru, and will cross the finish line in Cordoba, Argentina, on Jan. 20.

Left: Argentinian biker Franco Caimi crashes during stage seven of the 2018 Dakar Rally between La Paz and Uyuni, Bolivia, on Jan, 13, 2018.

Argentinian biker Diego Martin Duplessis races local llamas during stage seven on Jan. 13.

Started by French motorcylist Thierry Sabine, the first rally of 182 vehicles left Paris on Dec. 26, 1978 on a 6,000-mile journey to Dakar, Senegal. The race has been in South America since security concerns forced the cancellation of the 2008 rally.

Dutch driver Guillaume Martens takes a nap during stage seven on Jan. 13.

Peugeot's driver Stephane Peterhansel and his co-driver Jean Paul Cottret of France compete during stage seven on Jan. 13.

Carlos Sainz and Lucas Cruz in the Peugeot 3008 DKR Maxi of the Team Peugeot Total navigating a mountain near Lake Titicaca during stage six on Jan. 11, 2018. // Fran?ois Flamand/ DPPI/ Red Bull Content Pool // For more content, pictures and videos like this please go to www.redbullcontentpool.com

Peugeot's driver Stephane Peterhansel and his co-driver Jean Paul Cottret of France spray onlookers during stage six on Jan. 11.

Peugeot's driver Stephane Peterhansel and his co-driver Jean Paul Cottret of France arrive in La Paz at the end of stage six on Jan. 11.

Ton Van Genugten of the Netherlands and Bernard Der Kinderen of the Netherlands drive their Iveco across a makeshift bridge during stage six on Jan. 11.

Giniel De Villiers of South Africa and Toyota Gazoo Racing drives with co-driver Dirk Von Zitzewitz of Germany in the Hilux Toyota car in the Classe : T1.1 : 4x4 Essence during stage six on Jan. 11.

Adrien Van Beveren of France rides his Yamaha motorbike during the fifth stage on Jan. 10.

Peugeot's French driver Sebastien Loeb sits near his car after running into sand trouble on Jan. 10.

Ford's Czech driver Martin Prokop and co-driver Jan Tomanek and Mini's Finnish driver Mikko Hirvonen and German co-driver Andreas Schulz ride through the dunes of Tanaca during the 2018 Dakar Rally Stage 5 between San Juan De Marcona and Arequipa in Peru, on Jan. 10.

Joan Barreda Bort of Spain drives his Honda on Jan. 10.

Toyota's Qatari driver Nasser Al-Attiyah and French co-driver Mathieu Baumel ride through the dunes of Tanaca on Jan. 10.

Australian biker Toby Price powers his KTM bike over the dunes on Jan. 10.

A driver walks on a sand dune on Jan. 10.

Cyril Despres and copilot David Castera, both of France, inspect their damaged vehicle on Jan 9.

Spanish Carlos Sainz competes in the fourth stage on Jan. 9.

A stretch of up to 100 kilometers of dunes, one of the longest in Dakar history, will be the main challenge facing the rally riders in their fourth stage.

Motorbikes and quads race along the beach during the fourth stage on Jan. 9.

Kevin Benavides of Argentina took fifth place during the second stage on Jan. 8.

The Toyota of driver Alicia Reina and co-driver Carlos Dante Pelayo, both of Argentina, burns after catching fire during the third stage on Jan. 8.

Gaston Gonzalez of Argentina rides his Yamaha on Jan. 8.

Dmitry Sotnikov of Team KAMAZ-Master races on Jan. 8.

Mini's Polish driver Jakub Przygonski and Belgian co-driver Tom Colsoul race through the desert on Jan. 7.

Eugenio Amos of Italy and co-driver Sebastien Delaunay of France drive in the 2WD Class loop stage on Jan. 7.

A woman lies on the sand as a competitor passes by on Jan. 7, 2018.

Drivers tackle the monstrous dunes on Jan. 7, 2018.

Ssangyong's Spanish driver Oscar Fuertes and co-driver Diego Vallejo kick up sand on Jan. 7, 2018.

The Mitsubishi of Cristina Gutierrez Herrero and co-driver Gabriel Moiset Ferrer, both of Spain, turns over during the first stage on Jan. 6, 2018.

Peugeot's French driver Sebastien Loeb and co-driver Daniel Elena of France compete during the stage one on Jan. 6, 2018.

Cars race along the beach during the fourth stage on Jan. 9.

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