Daniel Sanders Conquers Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2025

The 2025 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge delivered an unforgettable week of high-speed racing, strategic battles, and raw endurance, marking the second round of the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC). After a grueling five-stage battle across the towering dunes and punishing heat of the UAE, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Daniel Sanders claimed his first-ever Desert Challenge title, adding another W2RC victory to his Dakar 2025 win and solidifying his lead in the world championship standings.

RallyGP: Sanders Holds His Ground, Schareina Takes Final Stage Win

Sanders played it smart on the 226-mile (364 km) final stage, which included 104 miles (167 km) of timed racing through a brutal mix of sand, dunes, chotts, and dirt—without a single stretch of tarmac. With a comfortable lead, the KTM rider finished fourth on the day, securing the overall win and extending his championship lead to 63 points.

Monster Energy Honda’s Tosha Schareina pushed hard to take the final stage victory, finishing ahead of teammate Ricky Brabec and Red Bull KTM’s Luciano Benavides. With Sanders at the top of the W2RC standings, Schareina now sits second with 46 points, followed by Brabec in third with 37 points.

“Last time I was here, I had a shot at winning but ran out of fuel. That was preying on my mind a little bit, but I finally got to the finish line in first. I’m feeling good, I’m enjoying riding, and the KTM is on fire!” – Daniel Sanders

Rally2: Michael Docherty Makes History

In the Rally2 category, Michael Docherty delivered a flawless performance, becoming the first competitor to win every stage of a W2RC round in the class. The South African dominated the event, finishing an incredible 34 minutes and 26 seconds ahead of title holder Konrad Dąbrowski. 2023 winner Tobias Ebster rounded out the podium, trailing by 51 minutes and 25 seconds.

The 34th edition of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge kicked off in the oasis city of Al Ain, featuring a new marathon stage format that tested both bikes and cars. A sandstorm added another layer of difficulty to an already demanding rally, making survival an achievement in itself.

🔥 With back-to-back wins in Dakar and Abu Dhabi, Sanders is now the man to beat in 2025. The W2RC battle is heating up, and the next stop promises even more action!