SANDERS' DAKAR GLORY REMAINS ON TRACK

It’s safe to say Australia is holding its collective breath with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider, Daniel Sanders, remaining in the lead of the 2025 Dakar Rally as the iconic desert race enters its penultimate stage. With only two stages to go, Sanders holds a 16-minute advantage ahead of Monster Energy HRC rider, Tosha Schareina.

In order to strengthen his rally lead, Sanders approached Stage 10 with a focus on minimising navigation errors and to secure a more favourable start position for Stage 11. The dunes of the Empty Quarter demanded a strategic approach, leaving Sanders to craft a cunning plan that saw him finish the stage in 11th, but only eight minutes behind stage winner and Rally2 competitor, Michael Docherty (a privateer aboard a KTM) – further cementing this year’s tandem act between KTM and Honda.

It’s also well worth noting that Sanders has remained on top of the Bike standings since the Prologue – an impressive feat which begs the question: can the 30-year-old Australian keep his mitts on the ‘red plate’ all the way through to clinching 2025 Dakar Rally champion title in two days’ time? The odds are better than ever for Chucky, with the Aussie now just needing to maintain his advantage for the rally’s final 369km of special.

Daniel Sanders:
“That’s Stage 10 done here in the Empty Quarter! It was a shorter stage but full of sand dunes. We had a massive 500 kilometres liaison this morning which meant a super-early start. I’m happy with my result; it’s where we wanted to be ahead of tomorrow’s longer stage. I also extended my lead today, so I’m pretty happy with that too.”

Sander’s teammate Luciano Benavides, fresh off a Stage 9 victory, led out on Stage 10 and proceeded to secure 16th fastest. Benavides’s effort solidified his fourth-place position in the overall standings, perfectly setting him up to attack tomorrow’s penultimate stage as he aims to close the gap to a podium finish.

Fellow KTM rider Edgar Canet is a hot topic, with the young rider leading the Rally2 class. Leveraging his mid-pack start on Stage 10, Canet’s strategic ride was finished off with a fifth place stage finish. Canet currently sits eighth in the overall standings.

Luciano Benavides:
“Today was Stage 10 in the dunes of the Empty Quarter, where I opened the whole way. I think I did a good job. It was really difficult to see the dunes with the sun right overhead and I felt a bit nauseous too. I did my best and we’ve finished in a good position to attack tomorrow as it’s the last day I will have to make up a large chunk of time and go for a podium finish.”

Edgar Canet:
“Stage 10 done and we only have two left now. It was a tough stage today – after riding for hours on the road, the 115 kilometres raced against the clock were made up almost entirely of dunes. I’m really pleased with how I rode and have a good feeling for tomorrow, so I’m happy.”

The one other surviving Aussie in the 2025 Dakar, Toby Hederics, has steadily increased his overall position across the 10 stages and currently sits in 19th position. In his first Dakar appearance, the Mildura-based rider is aboard a KTM prepared by the Bas World Racing Team.

Hederics has previously competed on Australian soil in the likes of our own desert races, Finke and Hattah. The 27-year-old went on to test himself at the Rallye du Maroc in 2023, where he ended up finishing best rookie – giving him a free entry to the Dakar.

Toby Hederics:
“The Dakar is the ultimate challenge and adventure you can do on a motorcycle. I’m a desert racer for Australia and the dream of racing Dakar has always been there. I grew up watching my dad race rallies. Motorsport is in my blood. My main races were the Finke Desert Race and Hattah Desert Race here in Australia, and I also raced the Australian Off-Road Championship regularly. My first goal is to finish. After that, who knows.”