Monster Energy Honda HRC Secures Double Podium at Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge – FIM World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC)

Monster Energy Honda HRC Secures Double Podium at Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge – W2RC Round 2

Monster Energy Honda HRC showcased an impressive performance at the 2025 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, securing a double podium finish in the second round of the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC). Ricky Brabec claimed second place, while Tosha Schareina surged to third after a stunning final-stage victory.

Final Stage Heroics: Honda Riders in Full Attack Mode

The grueling 1,920km desert rally pushed riders to their limits, with intense battles continuing until the final stage. Brabec, trailing leader Daniel Sanders (KTM) by 7 minutes and 23 seconds, launched an aggressive charge in hopes of closing the gap. Meanwhile, Schareina delivered an exceptional performance, clinching victory in Stage 5 and securing his spot on the podium. He finished just 17 seconds behind Brabec in an incredibly close fight for second.

Ricky Brabec (2nd Overall)

“I went full attack in the final stage, and I’m happy to have finished strong. I’m feeling great heading into the next round. After breaking my leg last October, I wasn’t in top form at Dakar, but here in Abu Dhabi, I could really feel the progress. Our bike setup has improved significantly, and we’re heading in the right direction.”

Tosha Schareina (3rd Overall, Stage 5 Winner)

“With the time gaps so close before the final stage, I gave it everything I had today. Winning the stage and securing third overall is a great result. Sand dunes aren’t my strongest terrain, and I lost time as the opening rider in Stage 4, but that’s part of racing. If I want to become world champion, I need to be fast on all types of terrain. I’ll keep pushing in the next round.”

Adrien Van Beveren (5th Overall)

“I’m happy to have completed the race safely, but the result wasn’t what I had hoped for. A poor prologue put me in a tough position, forcing me to open the route on the first full stage. That cost me valuable time, but I still gave it everything. I’ll aim to bounce back in South Africa.”

Skyler Howes (7th Overall)

“I had a great time racing and am just happy to finish. Last year was tough with injuries, and I wasn’t fully fit at Dakar either. This rally was all about testing suspension settings and checking my physical condition. I’m making progress, and I’ll come back even stronger in the next race.”

Ruben Faria (General Manager, Monster Energy Honda HRC)

“The 2025 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge wasn’t a perfect rally for us, but we take many positives from it. All four of our riders completed the race, which is crucial for a long championship season.”

“Brabec showed that he’s fully recovered and ready to fight for victories. Schareina, despite not riding for a month, still delivered a podium finish. Van Beveren was unlucky to start as the first rider, but his consistency was strong, and Howes is steadily regaining his best form.”

“The Honda CRF450 RALLY performed exceptionally well, and we will now shift our focus to the next round in South Africa (May 18–24) to continue our championship challenge.”

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

W2RC Standings After Round 2

2025 W2RC Calendar

（Photo courtesy of HRC）