Regional instability threatens preparations for motorsport’s toughest endurance rally.
BARCELONA
Spanish motorcycle racer Josep Pedró has raised concerns about the safety of holding the 2027 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia, warning that regional military tensions and attacks on strategic infrastructure could threaten competitors, support personnel and the logistical operations required for one of the world’s most demanding motorsport events.
The 39-year-old Catalan rider, who finished second in the Original by Motul category at the 2026 Dakar, questioned whether organizers can guarantee adequate security as preparations for the next edition continue.
In an interview with Catalan newspaper ARA, Pedró expressed particular concern about attacks affecting Saudi territory, including the port of Yanbu, where rally equipment is expected to arrive before the competition.
His concerns reflect the logistical complexity of staging an international rally across remote desert regions. Beyond protecting drivers during competition, organizers must coordinate the transportation of motorcycles, vehicles, spare parts, medical resources and hundreds of personnel.
Pedró explained that competitors had expected greater clarity when the proposed route was presented in March. According to the rider, organizers initially maintained that the event could proceed safely despite growing regional tensions.
However, subsequent security developments have increased uncertainty among participants and manufacturers. Pedró suggested that discussions during the recent Rally of Morocco marked a turning point, as factory teams began expressing concerns about sending employees into potentially dangerous conditions.
The possibility of relocating the Dakar has consequently entered discussions among competitors. Morocco has emerged as a potential alternative because of its extensive desert terrain and established experience hosting international rally-raid events.
Nevertheless, a change of location would introduce different operational challenges. Morocco’s roads and desert routes often intersect with populated areas, increasing the importance of traffic management and spectator safety.
Pedró also suggested that a broader route involving Morocco, Spain and Portugal could be considered, although such an arrangement remains speculative rather than an officially announced plan.
For the Catalan rider, uncertainty over the venue affects training, sponsorship commitments and technical preparation. Competitors must adapt their equipment and navigation strategies to the terrain they expect to encounter.
His experience gives particular weight to those concerns. Pedró comes from a family closely connected to the Dakar, having followed his father’s participation in the historic African editions before establishing his own career in motorcycle rally competition.
The Original by Motul category, in which competitors race without conventional mechanical assistance, places exceptional demands on physical endurance, technical knowledge and personal preparation.
For organizers, relocating the rally would require substantial coordination with host governments, commercial partners, broadcasters and international motorsport authorities.
The financial implications could also be significant, although no verified estimate establishes the cost of a potential relocation.
At present, Saudi Arabia remains the planned host, and no definitive announcement confirms that the event will move elsewhere.
The controversy illustrates how geopolitical instability can influence international sport even when the competition itself is not directly connected to military or diplomatic disputes.
As preparations continue, the central question is whether organizers can provide credible security assurances early enough for teams and competitors to make informed decisions.
For Pedró and his fellow riders, the Dakar’s reputation for extreme endurance remains part of its attraction. Yet sporting difficulty and exposure to armed conflict represent fundamentally different risks.
Beyond the Headlines, Accountability Matters.