Latest news with #2025AbuDhabiDesertChallenge
Gulf Today
02-03-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
Sheikh Yas crowns winners of the 2025 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge
Under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region, the 2025 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge – the second round of the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) – has concluded in thrilling fashion. Organised by the Emirates Motorsports Organisation (EMSO) in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the event took place from February 21–27, marking a historic first with its start in Al Ain. The rally then passed through Al Qua'a, Al Dhafra (Mezaira'a), before culminating in Abu Dhabi. During the closing ceremony, held on Hudayriyat Island in Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Yas Bin Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan presented the winners across various categories with their trophies. The event was graced by the presence of Sheikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Aref Hamad Al Awani, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Senior Project Manager at the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Mahir Badri, Chief Executive of EMSO, and numerous leading sports figures. The ceremony also included a special tribute to the event's sponsors and key supporters. Sheikh Yas Bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan emphasised the significance of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge as a testament to the UAE's leadership in hosting world-class sporting events. He commended the organisers and competitors for their outstanding efforts and stated: "We take great pride in having this global event as part of the UAE's major sports calendar, and we look forward to even greater achievements in the future." This year's rally marked a milestone with a bold new route. For the first time in its 34 years, the event started in Al Ain and travelled through Al Dhafra, with the bivouac stationed in Mezaira'a, before concluding in Abu Dhabi. This innovative change saw 60% of the course redesigned, setting a new benchmark for the event's evolution. The much-anticipated alteration not only enhanced the rally's dynamic nature but also preserved the thrill and challenges that have defined the Desert Challenge for over three decades. Recognised as one of the most prestigious motorsport events in the region, the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge attracts world-class drivers and riders who tackle the desert's demanding terrain, testing both their skill and endurance. The rally continues to reinforce its reputation as a premier long-distance desert rally on the global stage. Since its inception 34 years ago, the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge has been a cornerstone of the global rally-raid scene. Initially a bold vision conceived by Mohammed Ben Sulayem - current President of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the global governing body for motorsports - the event has evolved into an international motorsport benchmark for skill, endurance, and determination. Since its launch in 1991, the rally has welcomed some of the biggest names in the sport, including Jean-Louis Schlesser, Stéphane Peterhansel, Nasser Al-Attiyah and Yazeed Al-Rajhi, cementing its place as one of the most iconic events in the motorsport world. The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge is hosted with the support of Energy partner ADNOC Distribution; the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi; Technology Partner e&; and Official Logistics Partner DHL. The event is also made possible thanks to Automotive Partner Al-Futtaim Toyota, as well as governmental support from the Ministry of Defence & UAE Armed Forces, Abu Dhabi Police, Civil Defence, Abu Dhabi Distribution Co, Al Dhafra Region Municipality, Tadweer, and media partner Abu Dhabi Sports TV.
NBC Sports
28-02-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Highlights: Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, Stage 5
Watch highlights from Stage 5 of the 2025 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, part of the World Rally-Raid Championship.
Khaleej Times
27-02-2025
- Automotive
- Khaleej Times
Fifth Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge victory for Al-Attiyah
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)
