It was a perfect start to Dakar 2018 for Toyota Gazoo racing SA, as its new Toyota Hilux showed its strength on the opening stage of the grueling event. The short opener was won by Qatar’s Nasser Al Attiyah, with French navigator Mathieu Baumel beside him. The pair completed the stage in 21:51, beating teammates Bernhard ten Brinke (Netherlands) and navigator Michel Périn (France), in a mechanically identical Toyota Hilux by just 25 seconds. The stage comprised just 31 km, but was run entirely in the soft dunes near the Peruvian city of Pisco. Despite its short length, Stage 1 may yet play a role in the outcome of the race.