KTM’s Daniel Sanders Wins 2025 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge – FIM World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC)

Daniel Sanders Wins 2025 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge – Extends W2RC Championship Lead

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Daniel Sanders dominated the 2025 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, securing his first victory of the season and extending his lead in the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) standings by 17 points. With two stage wins and a commanding six-minute gap over the runner-up, Sanders showcased his strength in the desert. Meanwhile, teammate Luciano Benavides put in a strong performance, finishing just outside the podium in 4th place.

Sanders’ Commanding Victory

Building on his strong Dakar Rally performance, Sanders entered Abu Dhabi with momentum. After finishing 5th in the prologue, he won Stage 2 to take the overall lead, engaging in an intense battle with Tosha Schareina. Another victory in Stage 4 further solidified his position, and a controlled ride in the final stage secured him the overall win. This dominant performance earned him maximum championship points, strengthening his position ahead of the next round in South Africa.

Daniel Sanders (Winner, Overall Champion)

“After last year’s disappointment here, this victory feels incredible. I felt strong throughout the race, and achieving three consecutive wins is just amazing. The KTM bike was perfect, and I’m extremely grateful for the team’s hard work.”

Luciano Benavides Finishes 4th, Just Short of the Podium

Benavides started the rally well, finishing 2nd in the prologue and 3rd in Stage 1, positioning himself as a podium contender. He remained in 2nd place after Stage 3 but lost time in Stage 4 while opening the route, dropping to 7th for the day. Despite a strong 3rd-place finish in the final stage, he missed the podium by just 1 minute and 57 seconds, finishing 4th overall.

Luciano Benavides (4th Overall)

“The Abu Dhabi rally is done, and I’m satisfied with my 4th place finish. The final stage was extremely fast, and with fewer off-piste sections, I had to carefully balance my riding. Missing the podium is frustrating, but I take a lot of positives from this performance. I’m happy with the team’s victory and the bike’s performance. Now, I’m looking forward to the next race.”

Edgar Canet’s Unfortunate Retirement

Rally2 class winner at Dakar, Edgar Canet, was aiming for another strong result but suffered a crash in Stage 1, breaking his elbow and forcing him to retire. After starting well in the prologue (4th in class, 12th overall), his race ended prematurely due to injury.

Andreas Holzl (Team Manager, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)

“Daniel delivered an incredible performance, showing complete control throughout the rally. His bike setup was perfect, and right now, he is undoubtedly one of the fastest riders in rally-raid. Luciano also performed well, and with some small adjustments, he’ll be able to maximize his speed and rhythm. It’s unfortunate for Edgar, but he is already on the road to recovery, and we expect him to return soon. Our team proved its strength here, and we will continue pushing in the upcoming rounds.”

Final Results – 2025 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge (After 5 Stages)

W2RC Standings After Round 2

2025 FIM World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) Calendar

（Photo courtesy of KTM）