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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.
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)
Gulf Today
27-02-2025
- Automotive
- Gulf Today
Attiyah retains lead, Sanders inches closer to title
Competitors were taken to the limit and beyond by some of the largest dunes ever encountered on the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge (ADDC) as the penultimate Stage 4 of the 2025 edition provided a supreme test of technical skill and stamina on the way to the finish line at the iconic Al Dhafra Fort. And the 2025 Desert Challenge is set for a thrilling final charge to the city of Abu Dhabi after third place in Wednesday's gruelling stage earned Dacia Sandriders' Nasser Al Attiyah a slim overall lead over the twin Toyota Gazoo Racing cars of Luca Moraes and Seth Quintero. Victory in the penultimate stage of this year's epic event went to another Toyota driver, Eryk Goczal, with the 20-year-old Overdrive Racing man claiming a first Desert Challenge stage victory and his first in the top Ultimate Class. In the bikes, Red Bull KTM Factory Team rider Daniel Sanders looks on course to take his first Desert Challenge win as a second stage win of the event has given him a 7min 23s overall advantage over Monster Energy Honda HRC rider Ricky Brabec, with Sanders' team-mate Luciano Benavides a further minute back in third place. Technically complex and physically demanding. Stage 4 really mixed things up with a 300 km route from the Marathon Camp at Al Qua'a that featured multiple types of terrain. Equal parts sand, dunes, wadis and tarmac, the stage took competitors across some of the world's largest dunes, into the area known as White Sands and then to incredible Al Dhafra fort. Built in 2017 in the style of the traditional defensive structures of the emirate of Abu Dhabi, the spectacular fort acts as the gateway to the Al Dhafra region, which makes up 70% of the emirate's territory. Forts such as Al Dhafra provided site of refuge for the population in times of trouble and today it provided sanctuary for Desert Challenge competitors, with many saying the massive dunes of Stag 4 were among the largest and most difficult they had ever encountered. At the end of the stage, though, Sanders took the bikes win more than three minutes clear of Monster Energy Honda HRC rival Adrien Van Beveren. In doing so the rider known as 'Chucky' scored his 15th W2RC stage win, one shy of record holder Van Beveren. Third place went to Hero Motorsports' José Ignacio Cornejo. In Rally 2, Dubai-based Michael Docherty is on track to become the first rider in his class to complete a clean sweep of stages in a W2RC round. The SRG Motorsports rider, who hails from South Africa, used his thorough knowledge of the terrain to take his fifth stage win of the event (including the Qualifying Stage) ahead of Duust Rally Team's Konrad Dąbrowski and Old Friends Rally Team rider Martin Ventura. The win means that going into the final day has extended his advantage over Dąbrowski to a whopping 28 minutes. In the cars, the fourth stage of the 2025 Desert Challenge was standout success for Toyota, with a 1-2 finish for the company and with six Toyotas in the top 10. Commenting on the success, Jacques Brent, Managing Director Al Futtaim Motors, said: 'At Al-Futtaim Toyota we take pride in being part of EMSO's 34th edition of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge starting from the beautiful city of Al Ain. Much like this challenge, Toyota's Motorsport heritage is also about endurance, performance and achievement.'
Khaleej Times
26-02-2025
- Automotive
- Khaleej Times
Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge roars towards thrilling finale
Competitors were taken to the limit and beyond by some of the largest dunes ever encountered on the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge as the penultimate Al-Futtaim Stage 4 of the 2025 edition provided a supreme test of technical skill and stamina on the way to the finish line at the iconic Al Dhafra Fort. And the 2025 Desert Challenge is set for a thrilling final charge to the city of Abu Dhabi after third place in Wednesday's gruelling stage earned Dacia Sandriders' Nasser Al-Attiyah a slim overall lead over the twin Toyota Gazoo Racing cars of Luca Moraes and Seth Quintero. Victory in the penultimate stage of this year's epic event went to another Toyota driver, Eryk Goczal, with the 20-year-old Overdrive Racing man claiming a first Desert Challenge stage victory and his first in the top Ultimate Class.| In the bikes, Red Bull KTM Factory Team rider Daniel Sanders looks on course to take his first Desert Challenge win as a second stage win of the event has given him a 7min 23s overall advantage over Monster Energy Honda HRC rider Ricky Brabec, with Sanders' teammate Luciano Benavides a further minute back in third place. Technically complex and physically demanding. Al-Futtaim Toyota Stage 4 really mixed things up with a 300 km route from the Marathon Camp at Al Qua'a that featured multiple types of terrain. The stage took competitors across some of the world's largest dunes, into the area known as White Sands and then to incredible Al Dhafra fort. Built in 2017 in the style of the traditional defensive structures of the emirate of Abu Dhabi, the spectacular fort acts as the gateway to the Al Dhafra region, which makes up 70% of the emirate's territory. Forts such as Al Dhafra provided site of refuge for the population in times of trouble and Wednesday it provided sanctuary for Desert Challenge competitors, with many saying the massive dunes of Stage 4 were among the largest and most difficult they had ever encountered. At the end of the stage, though, Sanders took the bikes win more than three minutes clear of Monster Energy Honda HRC rival Adrien Van Beveren. In doing so the rider known as 'Chucky' scored his 15 th W2RC stage win, one shy of record holder Van Beveren. Third place went to Hero Motorsports' José Ignacio Cornejo. In Rally 2, Dubai-based Michael Docherty is on track to become the first rider in his class to complete a clean sweep of stages in a W2RC round. The SRG Motorsports rider, who hails from South Africa, used his thorough knowledge of the terrain to take his fifth stage win of the event (including the Qualifying Stage) ahead of Duust Rally Team's Konrad Dąbrowski and Old Friends Rally Team rider Martin Ventura. The win means that going into the final day Docherty has extended his advantage over Dąbrowski to a whopping 28 minutes. In the cars, the fourth stage of the 2025 Desert Challenge was standout success for Toyota, with a 1-2 finish for the company and with six Toyotas in the top 10. The final stage of this year's event, the Abu Dhabi Sports Council Stage 5, runs from Mezaira'a to Abu Dhabi covering a total of 364 kilometres, with just 167 kilometres of specials on the way to the glittering city of Abu Dhabi for the finish ramp and the prize-giving which this year will be held at beautiful Hudayriyat Island.
Khaleej Times
25-02-2025
- Automotive
- Khaleej Times
Severe winds turn Stage 3 of Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge into a true test of grit and endurance
The 2025 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge entered its most demanding phase as drivers and riders embarked on the first part of an epic two-stage marathon into some of the most remote areas of the UAE. And the gruelling Stage 3 was made even tougher by fierce winds, eventually leading Race Control to halt running due to safety concerns. Usually only available to bike competitors, this year's marathon stage included cars for the first time. The 2025 edition also introduced the incredible Al Qua'a area to the Desert Challenge for the first time. Situated in the remote eastern region of Abu Dhabi, Al Qua'a is famed as the darkest place in the UAE. Known as the 'Milky Way Spot,' it's a favourite haunt for stargazers seeking the lowest levels of light pollution. This isolated location forms the perfect backdrop for the excitement of the marathon camp. Dacia's Nasser Al-Attiyah powered through to win the stage, beating Toyota Gazoo Racing's Seth Quintero by 3m 59s. Lucas Moraes, in another Toyota Hilux, finished half a minute further back in third. Al-Attiyah also moved into the overall lead, but a Dacia one-two was denied when Sébastien Loeb received a 2-minute penalty for speeding, dropping him to third overall, 1m 57s behind Moraes. In the bikes category, Monster Energy Honda HRC rider Tosha Schareina roared back to the top of the standings in Stage 3, beating Red Bull KTM Factory Team's Luciano Benavides by 2m 15s. Honda made it a double podium with Ricky Brabec securing third. Schareina's stage win vaults the Spaniard back to the overall lead, now 1m 19s ahead of Stage 2 winner Daniel Sanders and almost 2 minutes clear of third-placed Benavides. Red Bull KTM rider Sanders finished Stage 3 in sixth. In Rally 2, Michael Docherty continued his dominant run, securing his fourth straight stage win. The unstoppable SRG Motorsports rider outpaced Duust Rally Team's Konrad Dabrowski by 6m 27s, with SRG teammate Tobias Ebster two minutes further back in third. Docherty now holds a commanding 22m 18s lead over the Pole and 38m 17s over the Austrian. With the later-running Challenger and SSV classes halted by the winds, and in accordance with FIA regulations, Race Control will allocate times to affected competitors, with results to be published later. In Quads, Emirati racer Abdulaziz Ahli stormed to victory, finishing 11m 17s ahead of Poland's Marcin Wilkołek and over 22 minutes clear of Marek Łój, who now leads the overall classification.
