Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge

Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge The even is part of the FIA & FIM Rally Raid World Championships

Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge is one of the world’s most prestigious international cross country rallies founded by Emirati Motorsport legend Mohammed Ben Sulayem back in 1991. The event entered a new era in March 2009 when it was renamed from the UAE Desert Challenge to the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge with the five-day motor sport spectacular being staged in its entirety across Abu Dhabi emirate unde

r the auspices of the Abu Dhabi Government, with the Emirates Motorsports Organization (EMSO) retaining its event organizational role. Having celebrated its 30th edition in 2021, in 2022 event returns bigger and better as part of the inaugural FIA and FIM World Rally-Raid Championship, continuing its role as one of Abu Dhabi’s most historic sporting events. While previous Desert Challenges have seen motorbike, quad-bike, four wheel and truck competitors battle cross-emirate stages, the event in recent years has gradually migrated towards a majority routing through Abu Dhabi’s majestic desert areas. During the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, competitors face two days of documentation and scrutineering on Friday and Saturday, before a Ceremonial Start on Saturday. The rally then begins, first thing Sunday morning when the competitors leave the initial Rally HQ at the famous Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi to begin five days in the Liwa Desert of the Empty Quarter.

.Proud to be the first event in the to achieve .official 2 Star Environmental Accreditation ⭐️⭐️A milestone proving tha...
11/11/2025

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Proud to be the first event in the to achieve .official 2 Star Environmental Accreditation ⭐️⭐️

A milestone proving that world class rally-raid and environmental responsibility can advance together.

A rally shaped with respect for the magical and mysterious desert that defines it 🙌

Read the full story now at the link in our website 🔗





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.For the first time ever, the sands of the Empty Quarter will decide it all. Mark your calendars: 𝟮𝟮 - 𝟮𝟳 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 ...
10/06/2025

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For the first time ever, the sands of the Empty Quarter will decide it all.

Mark your calendars: 𝟮𝟮 - 𝟮𝟳 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 📆 ABU DHABI DESERT CHALLENGE, the final battle for W2RC glory! 🔥⚔️🏁
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・・・•ياس بن حمدان بن زايد يشيد، خلال تتويجه الفائزين في رالي أبوظبي الصحراوي 2025، بمشاركة وجهود المتسابقين والمنظمين ...
01/03/2025


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ياس بن حمدان بن زايد يشيد، خلال تتويجه الفائزين في رالي أبوظبي الصحراوي 2025، بمشاركة وجهود المتسابقين والمنظمين المتميزة في إنجاح هذا الحدث الذي يُعد جزءاً من الأجندة الرياضية الحافلة لدولة الإمارات.

Yas bin Hamdan bin Zayed has honoured the winners of Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2025, commending the competitors and organisers for their participation and outstanding efforts in making the event a success as part of the UAE’s major sporting calendar.

・・・•ياس بن حمدان بن زايد يتوج الفائزين في رالي أبوظبي الصحراوي 2025 في مختلف فئاته، ويهنئهم على الإنجاز الذي حققوه وا...
01/03/2025


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ياس بن حمدان بن زايد يتوج الفائزين في رالي أبوظبي الصحراوي 2025 في مختلف فئاته، ويهنئهم على الإنجاز الذي حققوه والجهود التي قدّموها خلال الجولة الثانية من بطولة العالم للراليات الصحراوية.

Yas bin Hamdan bin Zayed has honoured the winners of Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2025 across various categories, congratulating them for their accomplishment and the efforts they exerted during the second round of the World Rally-Raid Championship.

28/02/2025

🎥 Stage 5 Highlights ‣ Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge

Today marked the conclusion of the 2025 W2RC Round 2!

🚗 In the car category, Nasser Al Attiyah landed Dacia their second triumph in three races 🙌
The Qatari also bumped Yazeed Al Rajhi (Overdrive Racing) from the championship lead!

🏍 Daniel Sanders (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) followed up his Dakar win a month ago with another triumph and padded his lead in the FIM championship.

.🚨HISTORIC 2025 ABU DHABI DESERT CHALLENGE ENDS WITH NASSER AL-ATTIYAH CLAIMING STUNNING FIFTH VICTORY, AND TOP SPOT IN ...
27/02/2025

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🚨HISTORIC 2025 ABU DHABI DESERT CHALLENGE ENDS WITH NASSER AL-ATTIYAH CLAIMING STUNNING FIFTH VICTORY, AND TOP SPOT IN W2RC CHAMPIONSHIP, AS DANIEL SANDERS TIGHTENS GRIP ON BIKE TITLE STANDINGS🚨

Epic battles, record-breaking performances, and high-speed action mark the unforgettable conclusion of the 34th Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge

Nasser Al-Attiyah powers to victory in Abu Dhabi Sports Council Stage 5, securing his fifth Desert Challenge win and seizing the W2RC championship lead

Daniel Sanders makes it two-for-two in 2025, claiming his first Desert Challenge title and tightening his hold on the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship

Dania Akeel makes history as the first woman to win a W2RC event with Challenger class triumph

Michael Docherty rewrites the record books, becoming the first competitor to win every stage of a W2RC round in the Rally 2 class

Emirati rider Hamdan Alali takes top spot in punishing, fully-unassisted Malle Moto class

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 34th edition of the gruelling reached came to a thrilling conclusion on the shores of Hudayriyat Island in the glittering capital of 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.

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

Link in bio to the full story 🔗🗞️









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.🚨2025 ABU DHABI DESERT CHALLENGE ROARS TOWARDS THRILLING FINALE AS PENULTIMATE STAGE TESTS COMPETITORS TO THE LIMIT ACR...
26/02/2025

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🚨2025 ABU DHABI DESERT CHALLENGE ROARS TOWARDS THRILLING FINALE AS PENULTIMATE STAGE TESTS COMPETITORS TO THE LIMIT ACROSS LARGEST DUNES YET ENCOUNTERED🚨

Al-Futtaim Toyota Stage 4 provides intense challenge on some the biggest dunes in the world before reaching finish line at iconic Al Dhafra Fort

Daniel Sanders win Bikes stage to take commanding overall lead ahead of final stage

Nasser Al-Attiyah takes retains narrow overall cars lead to set up prospect of first Desert Challenge win and first W2RC victory for Dacia Sandriders

Erik Goczal takes first Ultimate Class stage win in Overdrive Racing Hilux as six Toyotas finish in the top 10

No birthday celebrations for Sébastien Loeb, as Frenchman, 51, exits stage early

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 today’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.

Link in bio to the full story 🔗🗞️









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.Feeling thirsty? .akeel to the rescue!
26/02/2025

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Feeling thirsty? .akeel to the rescue!



.🚨THE STORM BLOWS IN: SEVERE WINDS ON MARATHON STAGE TURN STAGE 3 OF ABU DHABI DESERT CHALLENGE INTO A TRUE TEST OF GRIT...
25/02/2025

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🚨THE STORM BLOWS IN: SEVERE WINDS ON MARATHON STAGE TURN STAGE 3 OF ABU DHABI DESERT CHALLENGE INTO A TRUE TEST OF GRIT AND ENDURANCE🚨

Competitors face the toughest test of the rally so far as fierce winds force Race Control to call time on FIA runners still battling the dunes

Tosha Schareina battles back to reclaim the overall bike lead with a dominant stage win

Nasser Al-Attiyah edges out Seth Quintero to top the overall car class standings

Remote Al Qua’a Marathon Camp hosts riders and drivers overnight, with no team support

The 2025 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge entered its most demanding phase today 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 e& 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.

The third stage of the Desert Challenge, over 80% of which comprised sand and massive dunes, was made even more difficult by strong winds that stirred up clouds of fine sand and dust. Combined with overcast skies that robbed the riders of any shade, the route to Al Qua’a proved a real test of endurance. With the severity of the gusts making helicopter support more difficult in the afternoon, Race Control took the decision to halt FIA competitors still on course.

Link in bio to the full story 🔗🗞️









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EMIRATES MOTORSPORTS ORGANIZATION (EMSO)
Dubai
5078

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