The Dakar Rally takes its competitors through some of the most spectacular and toughest terrain in Africa
The harsh terrain of Africa's deserts puts a heavy toll on all the machinery - and particularly the motorbikes
The contrast between the high-tech rally cars and the poverty of the countries they pass through is a defining aspect of the Dakar Rally
The event brings the competitors into contact with cultures foreign to many of them
Under a stunning azure sky, Spain's Joan Roma steers his Mitsubishi through a barren valley in Morocco
World rally legend Ari Vatanen is one of the big names attracted by the romance of crossing the Sahara in a car
Japan's Hiroshi Mauoka slaloms between the Moroccan palm trees in his Mitsubishi
Giniel de Villiers crests a dune in the Moroccan Sahara in his Volkswagen Touareg
Spain's Marc Coma crests a rise on his way to winning the fourth stage in Morocco
After a week in Europe and North Africa, the event crosses into the deep Sahara and Mauritania
Former winner Hiroshi Masuoka steers his Mitsubishi over one of the rough Mauritanian stages
The deep Saharan sand is tough going for everyone - but particularly those competitors on motorbikes
Frenchman Guerlain Chicherit was forced to retire after this accident in the desert during stage six
The stages in Mauritania in the heart of the Sahara provide some of sport's most stunning images
France's Jean-Louis Schlesser, a former winner and ex-Formula One driver, pilots his Ford buggy through the Mauritanian desert
The Sahara is littered with stunning rock formations, but Cyril Depres has no time to admire the scenery
Three camels look on nonchalantly as Luc Alphand in his Mitusbishi attempts to close the gap to the leader
Giniel de Villiers is directed by policemen during the 11th stage of the Dakar Rally in Mauritania
Carlos Sainz heads into Mali on his way to winning the 12th stage in his Volkswagen
Former winner Stephane Peterhansel of France is tracked by a helicopter in the Sahara
The Dakar has had its share of tragedies, and Frenchman Eric Aubijoux is one of two riders to die this year
After the heat of the desert, competitors take to the beach during the 15th and final stage
After 15 gruelling stages, Peterhansel celebrates his third Dakar triumph
KTM rider Cyril Despres takes the Dakar motorbike crown for the second time in three years
Winner Stephane Peterhansel steers his Mitsubishi around Dakar's Rose Lake during the final stage of the event
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