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Australian rider Daniel Sanders (KTM), overall winner of this year’s Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia.Australia’s Daniel Sanders has won the 2025 Dakar Rally, marking KTM’s 20th victory at the iconic desert racing marathon.

Claiming his first Dakar victory, Red Bull Factory Racing Team rider Sanders secured five stage victories and led the event from start to finish to win by close to nine minutes.

Dakar rookie Edgar Canet delivered a sensational debut, the Spanish rider topping the Rally2 category with four stage wins and finishing an impressive eighth in the overall standings.

Argentine Luciano Benavides achieved his best-ever Dakar result, finishing fourth after claiming two consecutive stage wins. Despite his early withdrawal, Kevin Benavides showed great determination, delivering strong performances during the first week of racing.

Sanders dominated the 2025 Dakar Rally, culminating with a sixth-place finish on stage 12’s 61-kilometer, mass-start special that crowned him the overall champion.

From the outset, he showcased his speed and skill, winning the prologue, the opening stage and the ultra-tough 48-hour chrono stage to take an early lead.

Claiming two further stage wins and never giving up his overall advantage, Sanders is only the second rider in history to lead the Dakar Rally from start to finish.

Daniel Sanders: “So we have just won the Dakar Rally! It’s a massive accomplishment from myself and the team after a tough year, and I can’t thank everyone enough for the support. It’s been a long journey, and I can’t wait to celebrate with everyone! Now it’s time to kick back and relax after a long two weeks.”

Provisional Results – 2025 Dakar Rally, Stage 12:

  1. Michael Docherty (ZAF), KTM, 54:11
  2. Adrien Van Beveren (FRA), Honda, 54:14 +0:03
  3. Tobias Ebster (AUT), KTM, 54:55 +0:44
  4. Tosha Schareina (ESP), Honda, 55:08 +0:57
  5. Stefan Svitko (SVK), KTM, 55:10 +0:59

Provisional Final Standings – 2025 Dakar Rally (after 12 of 12 stages):

  1. Daniel Sanders (AUS), KTM, 53:08:52
  2. Tosha Schareina (ESP), Honda, 53:17:42 +8:50
  3. Adrien Van Beveren (FRA), Honda, 53:23:38 +14:46
  4. Luciano Benavides (ARG), KTM, 53:31:08 +22:16
  5. Ricky Brabec (USA), Honda, 53:38:42 +29:50

Photo courtesy KTM

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