The 2017 Dakar Rally has entered stage 10, with Honda's Joan Barreda leading the stage. /VCG

China's Zongshen registered in this year's race with four drivers, including singer Richie Jen, who withdrew from the gruelling rally during the second stage due to a serious injury. /VCG

The Dakar Rally is a dangerous annual off-road race that challenges the limits of human adaption and perseverance to ride against the toughest extremes of nature. /VCG

The event was launched initially in 1979 as a race from Paris, France to Dakar, Senegal. /VCG

But due to security concerns – too many riders died on the original route – all races since 2009 have been held in South America. This year's rally takes place in Paraguay, Bolivia and Argentina. /VCG