The beginning of the new year in Argentina brings the start of the Dakar Rally, with the first bike leaving Mar del Plata’s naval base and heading south to Necochea. All the vehicles have to complete the five stages in Argentina and cross the Andes, where another five stages awaits on Chilean soil. The final stage entails crossing the Andes once more, but this time into Peru, where the dunes and the desert will test the drivers’ knowledge, patience and skill. Lima is the ultimate destination; the rally ends there on 15th January.

Competitors from all over the world came to Mar del Plata to compete in the rally and see the race start on New Year’s Day. Some 465 cars, bikes and trucks entered this year’s competition. Champion drivers, such as Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah (the champion from 2011) and Russia’s Vladimir Chagin (champion in trucks in 2011), came back once more for another round.

This is the fourth time the prestigious rally has been held in South America. Founded in France, the first Paris-Dakar Rally was held in 1979. Unfortunately due to security reasons, the competition was canceled in 2008. However, the organisers found safer terrain in South America and so a new tradition was born. This course presents a whole set of new challenges for the competitors. They have to contend with various deserts, canyons, and many many mountains, forcing the riders and drivers to use both their brains and brawn to conquer the unknown and finish in one piece.

And not all do: Argentine driver Jorge Martínez Boero was killed in an accident on the first day. French contender Sebastien Coue succumbed to heat exhaustion after prolonged sun exposure, and his compatriot Bruno da Costa was hospitalised after hitting a cow and damaging his kidneys.

Photographer Irena Atanasoska shares her photos along with Adolfo Carrizo from the opening at Mar del Plata.

The Argentine delicacy chorizo is an inseparable part of any Argentine event. (Photo: Irena Atanasoska)

The sun made the Saturday afternoon unbearable for the elderly. (Photo: Irena Atanasoska)

People gathered wherever they could to get a good vantage point. (Photo: Irena Atanasoska)

The multitude of people stayed over five hours to greet all the drivers. (Photo: Irena Atanasoska)

Chilean rider Prohens Felipe pops a wheelie and behind him rides his brother Jaime. (Photo: Irena Atanasoska)

Johnny Aubert from France returns from the presentation of his bike. (Photo: Irena Atanasoska)

Champion Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah and his hummer drive through Mar del Plata to try for another win. (Photo: Irena Atanasoska)

When the cars and bikes weren't on sight the plane above was getting all the attention from the crowd. (Photo: Irena Atanasoska)

Frenchmen Pascal Thomasse and Pascal Larroque present their buggy Optimus. (Photo: Irena Atanasoska)

Argentine motorcyclist Boero Martinez rode the streets of Mar del Plata before his fatal accident. (Photo: Adolfo Carrizo)

Espinasse Sylvain from France stopped to take photos with a group of drunken fans. (Photo: Adolfo Carrizo)

The Dutchman Frans Verhoeven puts on a show for his fans. (Photo: Irena Atanasoska)

Saturday 16th January, Spaniard, Carlos Sainz, claimed his first Dakar Rally victory after finishing second in the 14th and final stage. The former world rally champion finished the race 2min 12sec ahead of Volkswagen team-mate, Quatari driver, Nasser Al-Attiyah, who won the final leg from San Rafael to Buenos Aires. American Mark Miller finished third overall, to complete a one-two-three for the German manufacturers, repeating their 2009 success. In the quad category, Marcos Patronelli finished 2 hours 23min ahead of his older brother Alejandro, making him the first Argentine to win the rally.

Sainz told the race’s official website: “It has been a very important day for me. Spain has finally won the Dakar with cars and I’m delighted. I want to thank (co-driver) Lucas (Cruz) for his great work and to all the team, and everybody who put their trust in me. We haven’t had any problems, and the car doesn’t have a scratch. I think we have done a fast but intelligent Dakar. It has been a very hard fight with my team-mate. We knew it would be that way. As I said before, I want to thank everyone who trusted in me.”

There had been a clash in the Volkswagen team on Friday, after Sainz was upset by Al-Attiyah’s aggressive tactics. However, the Quatari driver commented on his achievement, saying: “This second place is a good result for me. (…) My main feeling is joy. We raced a great Dakar, no mistakes, no problem with the car. We finish the Dakar with three Volkswagen on the podium. (…) Congratulations to Carlos Sainz. What matters is that a Volkswagen won. I am happy for Carlos. Next year, I’ll win. But now I’ll go shake hands with Carlos, he’s part of the team.”

The first Argentine to tackle the Dakar on a quad, young rider Marcos Patronelli, caused a stir in the host country with his 2nd place in 2009. This example led 11 other countrymen to participate in the rally this year, making up more than half the amount of quads in the competition. Argentine rider, Pablo Copetti said: “Patronelli (after the 2009 rally) has encouraged many of us. But it’s also due to the fact that many people use quads in our country.” Another competitor, Julio Estanguet, added that “if the Dakar takes place again here in 2011, there will be around twenty quads from Argentina”.

In the other categories, France’s Cyril Despres claimed the motorbike title for the third time, finishing more than an hour ahead of second place Norway’s Pal Ullevalseter; and Vladimir Chagin of Russia won the truck category by an hour, finishing fourth in the final stage.