The 47th edition of the Dakar, the sixth to be held in Saudi Arabia, concluded in Shubaytah with 77 motorcycles (including 67 Rally 2 bikes) having completed the full 7,453 km course.
The motorcycle race saw KTM return to the top step of the podium, claiming its 20th victory in the event thanks to the unshakable Daniel Sanders. The Australian rider, who dominated the race from start to finish, becomes the second Australian to win the Dakar, echoing Marc Coma’s feat in 2009.
Nothing could stop Daniel Sanders this year. The standout rider of the first week, where he won 4 of the 6 stages, “Chucky” perfectly managed his advantage in the Empty Quarter. A master tactician in the 2025 edition, he claimed his first Dakar victory, marking Australia’s third triumph in the event after Toby Price’s wins in 2016 and 2018. He also becomes the first rider to lead the general standings from start to finish since Marc Coma in 2009. This victory is the crowning achievement in the career of the 30-year-old, who was competing in his fifth Dakar.
As in 2024, Honda secured two spots on the podium. Tosha Schareina (2nd) claimed his first Dakar medal, while Adrien Van Beveren (3rd) repeated his performance from last year. Luciano Benavides (4th) achieved the best result of his career, while reigning champion Ricky Brabec completed the Top 5.
At just 19 years old, Edgar Canet became the youngest factory rider in Dakar history, and now also the youngest to win the Rally 2 category. He also finished as the top rookie. The Spanish prodigy beat Austrian hopeful Tobias Ebster to the win, while Romain Dumontier finished third, earning his fourth consecutive podium in the category and placing as the top non-KTM rider with his Honda.
The duel between Emanuel Gyenes and Benjamin Melot for victory in the Original by Motul category kept the bivouac on edge until the final kilometer. The Romanian edged out the Frenchman by a narrow margin (+3’05’’), repeating the 2020 edition’s one-two finish.
New brands recently entered in the Dakar performed strongly and gained valuable experience. Neels Theric (15th) delivered Kove’s best-ever result, as well as the best finish by a Chinese motorcycle in the event’s history. Similarly, Jérémy Miroir placed 27th, giving Italian brand Fantic its best result. In its debut year, Hoto placed all three of its motorcycles in the Top 40, led by Xavier Flick in 28th.
By claiming its 20th victory, KTM further cemented its position as the manufacturer with the most wins in Dakar history. In addition to victories in all categories, the Austrian brand claimed 8 of the 13 stages (5 for Sanders, 2 for Benavides, 1 for Michael Docherty). Honda secured 3 stage wins (Van Beveren, Brabec, Schareina), while Sherco celebrated a single stage win, thanks to Lorenzo Santolino’s success.