Sainz upbeat about defending Dakar Rally title

LIMA -- Reigning Dakar Rally champion Carlos Sainz said Saturday that he will be aiming for nothing less than a victory in this year's edition of the off-road race, which begins in Peruvian capital Lima on Sunday.

The event will run from January 6 to 17 and span 5,000km, of which almost 3,000km will be timed.

"The expectations are clear: to try to repeat [last year's] performance and finish the race as high as possible," Sainz told reporters here.

"We are convinced that, yes, we can win again. But there is a lot of work to do first."

The 56-year-old Spaniard is bidding for his third title, having also won the race in 2010 and 2018. His co-driver in a Mini Buggy will be compatriot Lucas Cruz.

This year's rally, will mark the first time that the race is held entirely in Peru. The Lima-Lima route includes five days in the Ica desert and a section in which competitors will tackle the world's second highest sand dune - known locally as Duna Grande - which stands 1,700 meters tall.

"The race will include dunes every day, meaning it won't be decided until the last day," Sainz said. "A problem could occur at anytime: like getting stuck [in the sand] or falling a hole. So there will be tension until the very end."