With just a few days to go, the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge (ADDC) is set to kick off as the second round of the FIA-FIM World Rally-Raid Championship 2025. From February 21 to 27, competitors will battle through the harsh desert terrain in one of the most grueling rallies of the season. The route consists of a prologue and five stages, covering a staggering 1,189 kilometers of special stages and a total distance of 1,920 kilometers.
FIA: Al Rajhi, Al Attiyah, and Loeb — A Battle of Legends
Following his historic victory at the Dakar Rally, Yazeed Al Rajhi (Overdrive Racing) enters the ADDC as the championship leader. With four W2RC wins under his belt, including his first ADDC victory in 2023, Al Rajhi is looking to solidify his dominance. His biggest rival, Nasser Al Attiyah, a four-time ADDC winner, is determined to claim his fifth victory, which would put him back in contention for the championship title. Meanwhile, Sébastien Loeb (The Dacia Sandriders) is eager to bounce back after a disappointing Dakar performance.
South African driver Henk Lategan (Toyota Gazoo Racing) is making his Abu Dhabi debut, joining a strong Toyota lineup of nine Hilux entries, including Seth Quintero, Lucas Moraes, and Polish prodigy Eryk Goczał. Toyota will face stiff competition from Dacia, Ford, and Mini.
Three former ADDC champions are on the entry list: Nasser Al Attiyah, Yazeed Al Rajhi, and Martin Prokop (Orlen Jipocar Team). Prokop, who won the 2018 edition, finished runner-up in 2022 and 2023. With his Ford pickup, affectionately known as ‘Shrek,’ he is eager to reclaim his place at the top.
FIM: Sanders and Schareina Ready for Action
On two wheels, Daniel Sanders (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) is the rider to watch. After winning the opening round in Saudi Arabia, he leads the standings with 38 points. His closest competitor, Tosha Schareina (Monster Energy Honda HRC), follows with 30 points.
Adrien Van Beveren (Monster Energy Honda HRC), the 2023 ADDC winner, is another strong contender. He secured a second-place finish in 2021 and has proven his ability to conquer the unpredictable dunes of the Rub’ al Khali Desert.
Dutch Representation: Kees Koolen and HT Rally Raid at the Start
The Netherlands will be represented by Kees Koolen, competing in the motorcycle category with the Dutch HT Rally Raid team. Koolen, an experienced rally racer, will ride a Husqvarna FR 450 Rally. He is joined by three fellow HT Rally Raid riders: Blas Zapag (No. 49), Markus Hertlein (No. 51), and Khaliunbold (No. 52), all riding the same bike. With four motorcycles in the race, HT Rally Raid is a formidable Dutch presence in the ADDC alongside the factory teams.
Another notable Dutch participant is Puck Klaassen, who will make her debut in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. Klaassen, with her partly South African and partly Dutch roots, is a promising talent in the rally world and will compete in the OT3. After impressive results in previous rallies, this is her chance to compete with the world’s best in the tough dunes of the Emirates. She will do this together with Charan Moore, also from South Africa, with whom Klaassen also took part the Dakar Rally.
Other Categories: Challenger, SSV, and Rally 2 Battles
In the Challenger class, Nicolás Cavigliasso (BBR) is the favorite, leading the standings with 82 points. His teammates, Pau Navarro and Yasir Seaidan, are also expected to perform well.
The SSV category promises an exciting contest, with local hero Mansour Al Helei (Liwa Team UAE) among the top contenders. Last year, he finished as the best SSV driver in Abu Dhabi, even outpacing eventual champion Yasir Seaidan. Can he repeat this impressive feat?
In Rally 2, championship leader Edgar Canet (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) will make his ADDC debut, facing Tobias Ebster (SRG Motorsports) and defending champion Konrad Dąbrowski (Duust Rally Team).
Among the quads, four-time ADDC winner Abdulaziz Ahli is the clear favorite. He will compete against challengers from Saudi Arabia, Poland, and the CFMoto Thunder Racing Team.
What’s at Stake?
Beyond the prestige of winning, valuable world championship points are up for grabs. The FIA categories feature 34 cars across the Ultimate, Challenger, and SSV classes. The FIM divisions are even larger, with 62 competitorsspread across Rally GP, Rally 2, and quads.
With the Dakar Rally still fresh in memory and the relentless heat of the desert set to challenge every competitor, the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2025 promises to be an unforgettable spectacle. Stay tuned to RallyTracks for the latest news and updates from this desert showdown!
