In the deserts around Riyadh

Once again on tour in the desert with Roel and the other boys and girls from GPTours. Yesterday, around 50 VIP guests from Holland flew in, who were allowed to drive in the dunes today with rental cars... that was not always such a good idea - see pictures of pushing. I was lucky that my driver is an experienced off-road pilot who will be participating in the next Dakar as a race car pilot - so no problem in the sand.

First of all, to the starting point of today's stage - about 100km south of Riyadh. Thanks to GURU-Maps on my phone, I had the coordinates of the starting point and Ronny, the pilot, skillfully guided us through the off-road section. Just in time to see all the celebrities of the Dakar up close. Then also the start of the favorites (Carlos Sainz in the electric Audi, Peterhansel, Nasser Al-Attiyah, etc.)

Then after this spectacle, about 10km off-road - wild ride over bumps and rocks - but found it - landed right next to the racetrack - great desert panorama and fast cars.

Then another 1 hour to the finish - in the middle of the dunes - very cool.

Insanely beautiful cloud panorama, dark sand, and also up close to the race track - almost too close - too dangerous.

I also had to pull some local teenagers out of the danger zone several times. Afterwards, when the trucks raced past us at a distance of only 3m, they knew why.

Then there was also a barbecue by the locals - delicious.

A perfect day!

By the way, 5th place for Gerd and 11th for Pascal - also perfect!

The VIPs then drove to the Dutch embassy - why?

They supposedly have Heineken there - the only place in Saudi where alcohol is officially extraterritorial. (supposedly..).

Back to the bivouac for me, tomorrow is a rest day.

Oh, and on the way back from the finish, we quickly helped with changing the tires of race car No.265, a German team - we had seen, while following behind them, that the tire on the left rear wheel bulged inward - a big bubble... that could have ended badly on the highway with cool potholes..