The 34th edition of the Desert Challenge classic is shaping up to be a genuine clash of the titans. With 165 cars, bikes and, for the time this season, quads registered to compete, the truly international field represents 30 different countries, featuring icons of the sport, rising stars, and a brave band of privateers determined to take on one of motorsport’s most demanding events.

In the cars’ top-class, the “Ultimate” category, reigning World Rally-Raid champion Nasser Al-Attiyah returns to defend his 2024 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge win behind the wheel of his Dacia Sandrider. Joining him is nine-time FIA World Rally Champion Sébastien Loeb, also representing the Renault-owned Romanian squad. They’ll face fierce competition from other manufacturers, with defending world champions Toyota Gazoo Racing arriving fresh from a spectacular Dakar win, courtesy of Yazeed Al Rajhi, who secured Round 1 victory on home soil. Meanwhile, World Rally-Raid newcomers Ford M-Sport continue their impressive start after Mattias Ekström took the new Raptor T1 to a remarkable third-place finish at Dakar 2025. The X-Raid Minis return, featuring a strong line-up which includes Belgian star Guillaume De Mevius who will be looking for redemption after a heavy crash on Stage 2 last year. The “Challenger” class also features a strong turnout, led by a 2025 Dakar winner, Argentina’s Nicolas Cavigliasso.

A strong contingent of local and regional talent will also be in the spotlight, particularly in the SSV class, where the newly formed Liwa Team UAE fields Sheikh Khalid Al Qasimi, and 2024 SSV class-winner Mansour Al-Helei. This Emirati duo, competing in Can-Am Maverick cars, brings thousands of kilometres of desert racing experience. , Yahya Al Helei, Atif Al Zarouni, and Khalid Aljafla, the latter a runner-up in the Challenger class of the World Cup for Bajas 2024, are also expected to feature prominently.

Meanwhile, in the bikes category, reigning World Champion Ross Branch leads the way for India’s Hero MotoSports, which secured its first ever Rally-Raid victory at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. However, Hero is set to be pushed hard by 23-time Desert Challenge winners KTM Factory Racing, spearheaded by 2025 Dakar winner Daniel Sanders. Emirati rider Mohammed Balooshi will also be joining the competition, adding to the strong local presence. A skilled and experienced competitor, Balooshi is certain to show well in the standings, further strengthening the Emirati lineup. Other UAE national candidates entered in the bike category include Marwan Alrahmani and Abdulla Lanjawi. After missing last year’s event, Monster Energy Honda HRC is back in contention, determined to reclaim top honours with a strong line-up that includes Ricky Brabec and 2023 Desert Challenge winner Adrian Van Beveren.

Quads make their first appearance of the 2025 Rally-Raid Championship, with local legend Abdulaziz Ahli seeking his fifth consecutive Desert Challenge title. After fog on the final stages of last month’s Dakar Rally resulted in tears of joy for some and cries of frustration for others, this year’s Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge - held in the same Empty Quarter desert - offers the perfect opportunity for a real rematch. The star-studded international field will gather in the historic city of Al Ain on 21st February for the start of the event, which is organised by the Emirates Motorsports Organisation (4), with the support of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council.

Charged with making Abu Dhabi an international capital for sporting excellence, competition, and international events, the Abu Dhabi Sports Council works to establish an environment that contributes towards promoting the importance of sport and sports programmes for all segments of the community, implementing the best and latest international systems that promote competing at local, regional, and international levels. The Abu Dhabi Sports Council supports the EMSO on a number of world-class events throughout the year.

H.E. Aref Al Awani, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said: “The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge is not only one of the most significant events in the UAE’s sporting calendar, but also a major event in the world of motorsport. That relevance is underlined by the incredibly strong entry list it attracts. This year’s event is no exception, and the 2025 edition looks set to be one of the most keenly contested in its long history. The Abu Dhabi Sports Council works together with the EMSO on a number of projects, and we are pleased to again be supporting an event that brings the world’s best drivers and riders to the UAE for an event that reaffirms its position as a global leader in sporting excellence.”

H.E. Khalid Bin Sulayem, the EMSO’s President, commented: “With an incredible field of top competitors now confirmed, the UAE is ready to host a thrilling second round of the FIA and FIM World Rally-Raid Championship. This year’s route is one of the most demanding in the event’s history, with a marathon straddling two stages for both bikes and cars, and is sure to test the drivers and riders to the limit “We extend our deepest gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his continuous support, as well as to our long-term partners the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, whose cooperation reaches far beyond this event to the development of motorsport and community initiatives throughout the year.”

Following the historic inaugural start in Al-Ain, competitors will take on a gruelling 400km charge into the desert to stunning Mezaira’a, before tackling marathon stages 3 and 4 in Al Qua’a, where cars will participate in a marathon stage for the first time ever. Those who survive the challenge will face the final showdown in Abu Dhabi. For the 34th edition of the five-stage event, the event’s organisers are building in new and exciting levels of spectator access, starting on the 21st with a variety of VIP packages that will include guided tours of the Desert Challenge bivouac and exclusive access to Rally HQ for a behind the scenes experience of Rally-Raid, as well as the official pre-event press conference and visits to local tourist sites. The following day’s Qualifying Stage will also be open to the public for the first time in the event’s history. Taking place at Jebel Hafit Desert Park, fans will not only get to witness the top racers from the world of cross-country in action, but they’ll also have the chance to camp out overnight, enjoying the outdoors and incredible views as well as a variety of family entertainment. Full details of all the spectator experiences will be announced shortly.

The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge is held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative Court in Al Dhafra Region. The event is organised by the Emirates Motorsports Organization in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council. The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge counts with the support of Energy partner ADNOC Distribution; the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi, Technology Partner E and, and Official Logistics Partner DHL. The event is also made possible thanks to the support of Automotive partner Al-Futtaim Toyota and Governmental support from the Ministry of Defence & UAE Armed Forces, Abu Dhabi Police, media partner Abu Dhabi Media Office Abu Dhabi Distribution Co, Al Dhafra Region Municipality, Tadweer, and our official broadcaster Abu Dhabi Sports TV.