The Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) has announced the route for the Sealine Cross-Country Rally taking place from April 19 to 25.

The event involves a round of both the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies and the FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship.

The world’s leading bikers and drivers, many of whom competed in last week’s Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, will tackle five demanding sections across the Qatar desert.

The total route will cover over 1,700km and is being billed as one of the most ambitious events ever staged in Qatar.  

Competitors will have to tackle the sandy and rocky terrain, which also requires precise navigational skills.  

President of the QMMF and FIA vice-president for sport MENA, Nasser Khalifa Al-Attiyah, is optimistic about this year’s rally being a success.  

“We have taken on board all the feedback from competitors over the last couple of years and I am delighted to announce a challenging and extended route this year,” he said.  

“We were delighted with the positive response from competitors in 2013, particularly in terms of comments about the quality of the road book, the navigational challenge and the variety of terrain and we are all looking forward to staging the event again this year.”  

Administrative checks and scrutinising will take place at the Losail circuit on Saturday, April 19 and Sunday, April 20, before the event’s start the following day.