The action kicked off with a short prologue in Hatta, where top names like Seth Quintero, Konrad Dabrowski, and Abdulla Al Ahli made early statements. Quintero, a Dakar Rally star, set the fastest time in his Toyota Hilux, signaling that he was back and ready for a fight. In the bikes, Konrad Dabrowski took charge on his KTM, holding off French rivals to begin his title defense.

Home hero Mohammed Al Balooshi, already a world champion, hit trouble in the opening stage but showed his calm and experience, promising to come back strong as the rally continued. In the quad class, Abdulla Al Ahli stamped his authority with a dominant ride, while Saudi racer Dania Akeel made progress in the Middle East standings. The prologue ended with a big crowd celebration at Dubai Festival City, setting the stage for even more action ahead.

With the race shifting to Al Qudra’s golden sands, drivers and riders faced a massive physical and technical challenge. The special stage sponsored by Toyota Al Futtaim stretched almost two hundred kilometers across dense dunes, pushing every competitor to the limit. Al Qudra is known for its unpredictable terrain, and this year proved no different, testing both skill and endurance.

The rally is more than just a race. Dubai organizers focused on sustainability, planting ghaf trees at the start and using eco friendly platforms to collect oil and prevent leaks. The final stage named in honor of Zayed and Rashid reinforced the rally’s deep ties to the nation’s heritage.

As the dust settled, Jakub Przygonski from Argentina claimed the car title, Mohammed Al Balooshi secured his fourth world title in bikes, and Abdulla Al Ahli confirmed his status as quad champion. These achievements underscore Dubai’s position as a true hub for global desert motorsport.