In the motorcycle class, Australian Daniel Sanders dominated the field on his KTM, securing the overall victory with a total time of 53 hours, 8 minutes, and 52 seconds. He outpaced Spain’s Tosha Schareina (Honda) by 8 minutes and 50 seconds, followed by Frenchman Adrien Van Beveren (Honda) with a deficit of 14 minutes and 46 seconds.
Progress of the Rally
This year’s rally was characterized by extreme conditions and technical challenges. From the very first stages, Daniel Sanders took the lead and steadily increased his advantage. Despite strong competition, especially from Tosha Schareina, who delivered an impressive performance despite a hip injury, Sanders managed to maintain his lead.
Performances of Riders Highlighted on Dakar.FM, the Rally Podcast
- Bradley Cox: The South African delivered solid performances, finishing in the top 10 in several stages. In the overall standings, he secured a respectable position in the upper midfield.
- Tobias Ebster: The Austrian impressed in the Rally2 category, claiming second place there. In the overall standings, he finished ninth, underscoring his consistent performance.
- Mike Wiedemann: As a privateer, the German overcame the rally’s challenges, finishing 31st overall. In the “Original by Motul” class, where riders compete without team support, he took fifth place.
- Justin Gerlach: The German rookie delivered an impressive performance despite battling a cold and technical issues.
- Willem Avenant: The South African fought his way through the stages and finished the rally in a respectable time, showcasing his endurance and determination.
- Dwain Barnard: Also hailing from South Africa, Barnard delivered a solid performance, successfully completing the rally in 48th place.
- Robbie Wallace: The Briton managed to overcome the rally’s demanding conditions and reached the finish line. However, a crash prevented him from completing the 5th stage, placing him in the Dakar Experience Class.
Sandra Gómez: The Only Woman in the Field
Special recognition goes to Sandra Gómez, the only woman to compete in the motorcycle class. The Spaniard, riding for the Fantic Factory Rally Team, displayed exceptional riding skills and perseverance. Despite the extreme conditions and tough competition, she successfully completed the rally in 43rd place, making a strong statement for women in motorsport.
Criticism of the Digital Roadbook
The introduction of the digital roadbook sparked debates among the riders. While the organizers highlighted the technology’s advantages, several riders reported technical issues and malfunctions during the stages. Australian rider Daniel Sanders expressed concerns about the system’s reliability after receiving a penalty due to a digital roadbook error, which was later overturned.
Similarly, Spain’s Tosha Schareina emphasized that while the system has potential, it is not yet fully developed for such a demanding rally.
The Hardship of the 2025 Rally
Many participants described the Dakar Rally 2025 as particularly grueling. Long stages, challenging terrain, and extreme weather conditions pushed the riders to their limits. Spanish rider Lorenzo Santolino described this edition as the hardest he has ever experienced, highlighting the physical and mental challenges faced by the competitors.
Conclusion
Despite the immense challenges and technical difficulties, the Dakar Rally remains the ultimate test of man and machine, continually redefining the boundaries of what is possible. We eagerly await what the 2026 edition has in store!
