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!

Last updated on 4. December 2024

The Dakar Rally 2025 is just around the corner! Two weeks of excitement, desert sand, and adventure await every rally fan once again. From January 3 to 17, 2025, the 47th edition of this legendary desert race will take participants through the stunning landscapes of Saudi Arabia, from Bisha to Shubaytah.

The Route: A World-Class Adventure

Covering a total of nearly 8,000 kilometers, including over 5,000 kilometers of timed stages, this year’s course presents a monumental challenge. The route begins in Bisha and concludes after twelve stages in Shubaytah, with competitors navigating the awe-inspiring emptiness of the “Empty Quarter.”

Highlights of Dakar 2025

The organizers have introduced several exciting changes for 2025:

• Return of the 48-Hour Chrono Stage: This two-day marathon stage spans 950 kilometers, challenging participants to manage without support teams. Riders must spend the night in basic bivouacs, testing both their physical and mental endurance.
• Separate Routes for Different Vehicle Categories: At least five stages will feature separate tracks for motorcycles and cars. This aims to improve safety and make navigation more challenging, as car crews won’t be able to follow the tracks left by the bikes.
• Marathon Stage Without Service: In addition to the 48-hour chrono stage, there’s a traditional marathon stage where competitors must also do without support teams. Strategic thinking and careful handling of vehicles will be crucial here.
• Three-Day Adventure in the “Empty Quarter”: The final three days will take participants through the stunning dune landscapes of the “Empty Quarter,” with a special stage stretching over 400 kilometers. Shubaytah will mark the end of this epic journey.

Voices from the Paddock

Tosha Schareina from the Monster Energy Honda Team is thrilled:
“I’m super excited about the 48-hour chrono stage. More sand and separate tracks for motorcycles and cars mean longer stages and tougher navigation. The motocross-style start is exhilarating. I’m all in!”

Adrien Van Beveren, also from the Monster Energy Honda Team, adds:
“The route description looks great. More sand plays to my strengths. The extended 48-hour chrono stage will be a tough physical challenge. We’ll need to position ourselves well heading into the ‘Empty Quarter.’ It’ll be intense, and the tension will remain high right to the end!”

Conclusion

The Dakar Rally 2025 is set to write its own unique story, just like the many editions before it. We’re looking forward to two weeks of thrilling rally action. Stay tuned here on the blog for daily updates on the Dakar. Additionally, I’ll be live with Dakar.FM through the Bearcast podcast every day, reporting on the rally, interviewing riders on-site, and much more!

Stéphane Peterhansel, known as “Mr. Dakar,” has achieved an impressive 13 overall victories at the Dakar Rally – six on motorcycles and seven in cars. He made his debut in 1988 on two wheels, winning all his motorcycle titles with Yamaha. Later, he transitioned to cars and continued his remarkable success story.

For the 2025 Dakar Rally, Peterhansel has announced that, for the first time in 36 years, he will not participate. On social media, he wrote: “For the first time in 36 years, I will not take part in the Dakar Rally. All these years have brought me immense joy and emotions. But today, I need a break, which doesn’t mean I won’t return in one way or another.”

Interestingly, he hinted that he will be riding with Yamaha in January, traveling from the tracks of Mauritania to the city of Dakar. This suggests he might participate in the Africa Eco Race, scheduled from December 28, 2024, to January 12, 2025. Although his participation has not yet been officially confirmed, it would mark a return to his roots on two wheels in Africa.

Yamaha is represented at the Africa Eco Race by the Ténéré Yamaha Rally Team, featuring riders such as Alessandro Botturi and Pol Tarrés. A possible participation by Peterhansel would bring added experience and attention to the team.

Whether Peterhansel will indeed take part in the Africa Eco Race remains to be seen. However, his hints and close ties with Yamaha strongly suggest that we may soon see him back in action – this time on the legendary tracks of Africa.