VIDEO: RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING TEAM SET FOR 2025 DAKAR RALLY

With the 2025 Dakar Rally just around the corner, the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team are set to take on the Saudi Arabian-based event in the RallyGP class. Aboard the KTM 450 Rally is the three-man team of two-time Dakar champion Kevin Benavides, multiple Dakar stage winner Luciano Benavides and last but not least, Dakar stage winner and Australian Off-Road Champion Daniel Sanders. 

The trio of experienced riders have been on the grind training and testing in preparation for the world’s toughest rally raid, and are ready for the two-week, 12 stage trek beginning on January 4th.

Both the Benavides are fully focused on success at the 8000km race after each enduring a tough 2024 season with injuries. The Argentinian brothers have since returned from an intense recovery program and bring a wealth of experience to the desert in hopes of claiming the top step of the podium.

Kevin Benavides:
“My preparation and training has been really positive, as I’ve spent a lot of time in the gym and cycling and I have prioritized recovery too. Combining that with time on my bike has worked well, and I’m feeling ready to go! Ahead of Dakar, I don’t have many expectations because I like to surprise myself every day, but the fight to win is now greater than ever, that’s for sure. I will give 100% every day and see where we go from there. Over the past two years I have learned the importance of keeping myself fit and riding smart to avoid injuries, because I want to keep doing what I love for as long as possible. I’m really excited to race with this amazing team and people, especially alongside Luciano, and I can’t wait to get going in January!”

Luciano Benavides:
“Testing went really well, and I’m feeling ready for the big one! I’ve been super busy preparing and training for Dakar with a lot of bike time in the desert in Argentina, Chile, and America, as well as a lot of cycling. My first goal for this Dakar is to arrive feeling 100%, because then I know I can perform at the top. It’s a long race, so we have to take it day by day, but I want to be competitive throughout. From my experience of previous Dakars, I know that you have to be able to bounce back from any bad days, stay focused and remember the ultimate goal, which is to win. Heading into the 2025 Dakar, I feel great and have put so much work in both mentally and physically to be up for it. It’s going to be a great race, and I can’t wait to get to Saudi and get started!”

Fired up from his recent victory at the Rally du Maroc, Sanders is keen to carry his momentum into the 2025 Dakar Rally. This rally will be the Australian’s fifth Dakar, after joining the KTM Factory Racing team back in 2021 where he teamed up with two-time Dakar champion Toby Price. Sanders finished fourth overall that year, behind teammate and now two-time Dakar champion Sam Sunderland, claiming the title of highest rookie finisher. 

In 2022, Sanders, along with Sunderland, switched to Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing and took two stage wins before an abrupt crash halted his chances of victory while Sunderland went on to claim his second Dakar win. The 2023 Dakar Rally ended with more success, clinching a seventh place finish and the triumphant return continued into 2024 where the then-29-year-old crossed the line eighth overall. 

Returning to his rally roots, Sanders gears back up in the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team for 2025 to take on the gruelling new route for the 47th edition of world famous desert race. Sanders is concentrated on building on his strong form and achieving a top result in Saudi Arabia in January.

Daniel Sanders:
“We had some really great training as a team in America, with a lot of roadbook work over pretty demanding terrain to get us ready for Dakar. I feel even more comfortable on the bike since Morocco, and physically I’m feeling fit and strong too. The team have put in a lot of hard work to get the bike completely dialed in and I’ve spent a lot of hours on it testing and making sure it’s perfect. I think I have a really good chance of getting on the podium this year at Dakar, but of course you have to take it day by day. The first week looks tough and quite intense with both the chrono and marathon stages, but I am really looking forward to it. I’m more determined than ever to put KTM back on the top step, so my win in Morocco was a huge confidence boost in that sense. I can’t wait to get to Saudi and start the new year with a bang!”

Andreas Hölzl – Rally Team Manager:
“Now we’re ready to race the 2025 Dakar! We have a really strong team, especially after Daniel’s win in Morocco, which proved that we have what it takes to be back on the podium. Daniel and Luciano have been training hard and are super motivated, and Kevin is a fighter so even though it will be tough, we have every faith that all three of them can perform. We can’t wait to get started!”

Watch the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team’s Dakar launch below: