Fifth Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge victory for Al-Attiyah

Khaleej Times

27-02-2025

Nasser Al-Attiyah won the high-speed final stage of the 2025 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge to seal a second consecutive win and a remarkable fifth overall as the 34 th edition of the event came to a thrilling conclusion on the shores of Hudayriyat Island in Abu Dhabi.
The Qatari driver's win is also the first in the FIA World Rally Raid Championship and at the Desert Challenge for the Dacia Sandriders team.
'I'm really so happy to win this Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge,' said Al-Attiyah of his victory.
'It was a really a tough week. It's not easy, but over the last three days we pushed a lot, and we are quite happy. To win five times in Abu Dhabi is a big thing as we know this race is a hard one. Thanks to the team, we put everything and it's really amazing. Lucas did a good job. He tried very well, and Toyota are still fast, but we are coming with our new car.'
In the Bikes category, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team rider Daniel Sanders delivered a solid ride to fourth place on the final Abu Dhabi Sports Council Stage 5 to wrap up a convincing overall win, the Australian's second of the season after he triumphed as the season opening Rally Dakar last month. The final Rally GP stage win of the 2025 edition went to Monster Energy Honda's Tosha Schareina, who finished ahead of team-mate Ricky Brabec and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team's Luciano Benavides.
'This one is a really good one to tick off,' said Sanders. 'Last time I was here I had a really bad last day. I had a shot at winning it, but I ran out of fuel. So 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!'
RESULTS STAGE 5 ABU DHABI SPORTS COUNCIL
Ultimate
Nasser Al -Attiyah (QAT) Time: + 02:04:25
Lucas Moraes (BRA) Gap: + 01:47
Seth Quintero (USA) Gap: + 04:34
Challenger
Yasir Seaidan (KSA) Time: 02:12:00
Pau Navarro (ESP) + 05:45
Marcos Baumgart (BRA) + 08:06
SSV
Jeremias Gonzalez Ferioli (ARG) Time: 02:19:39
Alexandre Pinto (POR) Gap: +02:36
Jose Nogueira (POR) Gap: + 11.01
QUAD
Marek Loj (POL) Time: 02:45:19
Gaëtan Martinez (FRA) +01:34
Marcin Wilkolek (POL) Gap: +03:19
Rally GP
Tosha Schareina (ESP) Time: 02:03:27
Ricky Brabec (USA) Gap: +01.31
Luciano Benavides (ARG) Gap: + 02:22
Rally2
Michael Docherty (RSA) Time: 02:10:34
Tobias Ebster (AUT) Gap: + 02:11
Ruy Barbosa (CHI) Gap: +04:00
OVERALL RESULTS
Ultimate (Overall)
Nasser Al-Attiyah (QAT) Time: 14:26:55
Luca Moraes (BRA) +02:28
Seth Quintero (USA) +11:56
Challenger (Overall)
Dania Akeel (KSA) Time 15:44:25
Pau Navarro (ESP) Gap: + 03:28
Marcos Baumgart (BRA) Gap + 11:41
SSV (Overall)
Jeremias Gonzalez Ferioli (ARG) Time: 15:58:21
Enrico Gaspari (ITA) Gap: + 01:26:44
Jose Nogueira (POR) Gap: + 03:24:39
Quad (Overall)
Antanas Kanopkinas (LTU) 20:23:02
Gaëtan Martinez (FRA) Gap + 26:18
Marek Loj (POL) Gap: + 05:13:41
Rally GP ( Overall)
Daniel Sanders (AUS) Time: 14:20:56
Ricky Brabec (USA) Gap: + 05:47
Tosha Schareina (ESP) Gap: + 06:04
Rally 2 (Overall)