Extends lead in rally-raid championship
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Daniel Sanders has claimed victory at the 2025 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, extending his lead in the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship.
Sanders, who dominated round two of the series in the United Arab Emirates, secured two stage wins and finished a commanding six minutes ahead of his closest rival. His teammate Luciano Benavides also delivered an impressive performance, finishing fourth overall, just missing the podium. Meanwhile, Rally2 contender Edgar Canet, who showed early promise, was unfortunately forced to retire after a crash on stage one.
Fresh off his success at the Dakar Rally 2025, Sanders brought his winning form to the UAE event. He started strong with a fifth-place finish in Saturday’s prologue. He then seized the rally lead after a victory on stage two, and a thrilling battle against Tosha Schareina ensued.
The two riders exchanged positions at the top of the leaderboard, but Sanders’ performance on the penultimate day, marked by a stage four win, put him in a commanding position. A solid fourth-place finish on the final day sealed his victory, securing him the entire haul of championship points and a 17-point lead in the standings as the series heads to South Africa for round three.
“It feels great to get this victory, especially as last time I was here, I lost out on the win on the final day, which was tough,” Sanders said after his win.
“I felt great all week, and it is amazing to have won three races in a row now. I am really enjoying riding, my KTM is running perfectly, and I cannot thank everyone on the team enough for their hard work in getting us to this point.”
Sanders’ victory solidifies his standing as a contender for the 2025 title and boosts his confidence heading into the next leg of the championship. The Australian rider’s consistency and aggressive riding strategy throughout the six-day event have set the bar high for his rivals.
Teammate Luciano Benavides was also a strong contender. He started the rally with a second-place finish in the prologue and maintained a competitive position throughout the early stages. He finished third on stage one and was consistently in the top three, including another runner-up result on stage three.
However, a setback on the penultimate stage saw him struggle with a drop in pace, finishing seventh and losing valuable time. Despite a strong third-place finish in the final stage, Benavides narrowly missed an overall podium spot by under two minutes. He now sits in fifth place in the championship standings, just two points behind his nearest competitor.
“Finishing in fourth here in Abu Dhabi is a good result,” Benavides reflected. “Stage five was a fast stage with fewer off-piste tracks, which is not my favourite, so I am still balancing those conditions. It is a shame to miss the podium, but it has been a consistent rally, and I’m happy with my performance. I am also really pleased that the team secured another win.”
In the Rally2 category, Edgar Canet, who had entered the event as the class leader following his Dakar victory, was eager to maintain his momentum. He started strong, finishing fourth in class and 12th overall in the prologue.
However, his hopes were dashed when he crashed on stage one, resulting in a fractured elbow. Canet was forced to withdraw from the rally but is expected to recover and return to action soon.
“We’re all sorry for Edgar,” said Andreas Hölzl, Rally Team Manager. “He showed great promise, and, unfortunately, his rally ended so early. He is already recovering, and we expect him to return soon.
“As for Daniel, he has been outstanding. He has been on point all week, and his preparation paid off. Luciano did a fantastic job too, and with a few adjustments, he will be back up front in no time. The team performed brilliantly, and we proved once again that ‘orange blood’ runs strong!”
The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge was a crucial round in the 2025 FIM World Rally-Raid Championship, with Sanders’ victory further asserting his dominance in the series.
The rally also showcased the resilience and potential of the KTM Factory Racing team despite Canet’s setbacks. The competition now shifts to South Africa, where the next round will test the riders’ skills and determination as the championship race heats up.
Image: Daniel Sanders has extended his lead in the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship. Credit: KTM Factory Racing
