Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge – Trusted Since 1999

DANIEL SANDERS VICTORIOUS AT 2025 ABU DHABI DESERT CHALLENGE

February 27, 2025 Michael Le Pard

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Daniel Sanders has won the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, extending his lead in the 2025 FIM World Rally-Raid Championship to 17 points. Dominating round two in the United Arab Emirates, Sanders secured […]

First ever 2023 Sonora Rally Mexico

April 20, 2023 Michael Le Pard

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing are ready to take on the 2023 Sonora Rally. Held in Mexico and featuring as part of the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship for the first time, the five-stage event looks […]

2023 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge: Opening fifth and final stage

March 3, 2023 Michael Le Pard

Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Luciano Benavides has claimed second place at the 2023 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. Opening the fifth and final stage, Benavides was able to lose the minimum of time to the chasing riders, […]

Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2023 – Stage 5 Results

March 3, 2023 Michael Le Pard

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Toby Price has delivered an outstanding ride on the fifth and final day of the 2023 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, taking the stage win to secure himself a third-place overall […]

Desert fog creates higher 2023 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge

March 2, 2023 Michael Le Pard

Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Luciano Benavides has claimed his second stage win of the 2023 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. The FR 450 Rally rider took advantage of his later start position to make up the maximum […]

Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2023 – Stage 4 Results

March 2, 2023 Michael Le Pard

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Toby Price endured a challenging day in the desert today, opening the long, 308-kilometer timed special on stage four of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. However, despite battling through a difficult […]

Tough day 3 in the desert: 2023 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge

March 1, 2023 Michael Le Pard

THIRD PLACE RESULT FOR SKYLER HOWES ON ADDC STAGE THREE SECOND CONSECUTIVE TOP-THREE STAGE RESULT FOR THE AMERICAN RIDER AS EVENT PASSES HALFWAY POINT Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Skyler Howes has put in another strong ride […]

Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2023 – Stage 3 Results

March 1, 2023 Michael Le Pard

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Toby Price has claimed victory on stage three of the 2023 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. After close to four hours of racing, Price completed the timed special just 16 seconds […]

Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2023 – Stage 2 Results

February 28, 2023 Michael Le Pard

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Toby Price has successfully completed the second stage of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge in eighth place. As the fifth rider to enter the timed special this morning, Price maintained […]

Tough stage two at 2023 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge

February 28, 2023 Michael Le Pard

Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Luciano Benavides has won the tough stage two at the 2023 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. Skilfully mastering the dunes throughout the stage, the Argentinian brought his FR 450 Rally home over one […]

2023 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge off to strong start

February 27, 2023 Michael Le Pard

Husqvarna Factory Racing have got their 2023 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge off to a strong start with both Skyler Howes and Luciano Benavides riding their FR 450 Rally machines to solid top-10 finishes on the […]

Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2023 – Stage 1

February 27, 2023 Michael Le Pard

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Toby Price has got his 2023 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge underway with a strong ride, placing fifth on the event’s opening stage one. Combined with his third-place result from Sunday’s […]

EXCITED FOR 2023 ABU DHABI DESERT CHALLENGE?

February 24, 2023 Michael Le Pard

Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Skyler Howes and Luciano Benavides return to FIM World Rally-Raid Championship competition this weekend with the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. With just under six weeks passing since the Dakar where Skyler placed third […]

Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2023 – Preview

February 24, 2023 Michael Le Pard

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Toby Price is ready to race the 2023 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. Fresh from his runner-up finish at the Dakar Rally, Price comes into this second round of the FIM […]

RIDER FORCED TO WITHDRAW FROM 2023 ABU DHABI DESERT CHALLENGE

February 23, 2023 Michael Le Pard

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Kevin Benavides will not take part in round two of the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship, the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, after suffering a crash during the pre-race shakedown tests yesterday, […]

Atacama Rally is back for 2022 and promises to deliver!

August 25, 2022 Michael Le Pard

After a two-year forced hiatus, the Atacama Rally is back for 2022 and promises to deliver its traditional format of long, tough stages held in the arid Atacama Desert, close to the Pacific coast of […]

2022 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge finish line

March 10, 2022 Michael Le Pard

Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Luciano Benavides and Skyler Howes have both successfully reached the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge finish line after five largely positive days of racing. With Luciano securing a stage win and commendably opening […]

2022 ABU DHABI DESERT CHALLENGE FINAL STAGE RESULTS

March 10, 2022 Michael Le Pard

Covering a total distance of 371 kilometers, stage five at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge included a short but demanding 209-kilometer timed special. Offering up the now familiar mix of dunes and faster, sandy tracks, […]

Exhausting Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2022 – Stage 4 Results

March 9, 2022 Michael Le Pard

Although temperatures in the Liwa Desert weren’t quite what they have been during earlier stages of this second round of the FIM Rally-Raid World Championship, the mixture of rocky pistes and large, rolling dunes still […]

Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2022 Penultimate Day

March 9, 2022 Michael Le Pard

Following on from yesterday’s positive results for Husqvarna Factory Racing at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, Luciano Benavides has raced to an impressive stage victory on the penultimate day of the rally. The Argentine was […]

Tough day in the desert Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge Stage 3

March 8, 2022 Michael Le Pard

Delivering a strong third-place finish on stage three of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Skyler Howes signalled his return to form with an impressive display of riding and navigation on what was […]

Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2022 – Stage 3 Liwa Desert

March 8, 2022 Michael Le Pard

Enjoying his time racing through the Liwa Desert, Matthias Walkner delivered a fast and smooth ride to take the win on today’s 255-kilometer timed special by close to one minute. The reigning FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Champion’s […]

Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge an impressive runner-up result on stage two

March 7, 2022 Michael Le Pard

HUSQVARNA FACTORY RACING’S LEADING RIDER ADVANCES TO SIXTH IN THE OVERALL CLASSIFICATION AFTER A TOUGH DAY IN THE DESERT Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Luciano Benavides has continued his positive start to the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge […]

Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2022 – Stage 2 Hameem

March 7, 2022 Michael Le Pard

The three-man Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team has successfully completed stage two of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge – round two of the 2022 FIM Rally-Raid World Championship. Kevin Benavides endured a tough day […]

Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2022 – Stage 1

March 6, 2022 Michael Le Pard

Less than two months after the completion of the Dakar Rally, Red Bull KTM are back in action at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. The event opened with a short, two-kilometer prologue sprint to decide […]

2022 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge Starts

March 6, 2022 Michael Le Pard

LUCIANO BENAVIDES AND SKYLER HOWES SAFELY COMPLETE THE OPENING DAY OF RACING IN ABU DHABI Enjoying a positive start to the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, round two of the FIM Rally-Raid World Championship, Husqvarna Factory […]

READY FOR 2022 ABU DHABI DESERT CHALLENGE?

March 4, 2022 Michael Le Pard

Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2022 – Preview Well-rested after the demanding 2022 Dakar Rally and highly motivated to return to competitive action, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing are fired up and once again focused on […]

Ready to take on the 2022 Dakar Rally?

December 20, 2021 Michael Le Pard

Following on from a highly rewarding season of racing in the 2021 FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship, the Monster Energy Yamaha Rally Team is now ready to take on the 2022 Dakar Rally. With all […]

WALKNER WINS 2021 ABU DHABI DESERT CHALLENGE

November 11, 2021 Michael Le Pard

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Matthias Walkner has won the 2021 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. Putting in another impressive ride to finish in second place on the fifth and final stage of the event, the […]

Outstanding Runner-Up Result At 2021 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge

November 11, 2021 Michael Le Pard

Finishing off a truly excellent performance at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, Adrien Van Beveren has completed the five-day event with victory on the fifth and final stage. Claiming three stage wins from five, the […]

Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2021 – Stage 4

November 10, 2021 Michael Le Pard

Including the shortest timed special of the event at just over 250 kilometers, day four of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge presented another technically demanding and physically exhausting route, beginning with soft sand dunes before […]

Impressive victory at penultimate stage 2021 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge

November 10, 2021 Michael Le Pard

Monster Energy Yamaha Rally Team’s Adrien Van Beveren has raced to an impressive victory on the penultimate stage of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. The Frenchman’s second stage win of the event highlights his […]

Physically demanding Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2021 Stage 3

November 9, 2021 Michael Le Pard

Placing second on stage three, Matthias Walkner continues to put in fast, consistent performances at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing star is yet to finish outside the top […]

Impressive stage three Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge

November 9, 2021 Michael Le Pard

The Monster Energy Yamaha Rally Team continues to enjoy positive results at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge with Andrew Short completing the stage three special as the third fastest rider. Maintaining a strong pace […]

Longest Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2021 – Stage 2

November 8, 2021 Michael Le Pard

At 470.58 kilometers, the second stage of the rally was the longest of the five-day event, and featured a 333-kilometer timed special that challenged competitors with rolling sand dunes and faster, desert tracks – the […]

Opening day of 2021 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge

November 8, 2021 Michael Le Pard

Following on from Ross Branch’s victory on the opening day of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, Monster Energy Yamaha Rally Team’s Adrien Van Beveren has won stage two, continuing the team’s highly positive start […]

Ross Branch Wins Opening Stage At Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge

November 7, 2021 Michael Le Pard

Monster Energy Yamaha Rally Team’s Ross Branch has begun the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge in the best way possible with victory on stage one. Up to speed and confident in his ability to master the […]

Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2021 – Preview

November 6, 2021 Michael Le Pard

The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge is made up of five full days of racing, primarily held in the dunes of the Liwa Desert. Totaling 1,949 kilometers, the event will feature 1,357 kilometers raced against the […]

2021 FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship Final

November 4, 2021 Michael Le Pard

The Monster Energy Yamaha Rally Team are putting the final touches to their preparations ahead of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, and are ready for the final round of the 2021 FIM Cross-Country Rallies World […]

LUCIANO BENAVIDES JOINS ROCKSTAR ENERGY HUSQVARNA FACTORY RACING TEAM

March 12, 2020 Michael Le Pard

Husqvarna Motorcycles is pleased to announce the signing of 24-year-old Argentinian Luciano Benavides, who will compete for Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing starting with the upcoming Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, the opening round of the […]

ANDREW SHORT ALL SET FOR 2019 SILK WAY RALLY

July 3, 2019 Michael Le Pard

Andrew Short will soon arrive in Russia to race the 2019 Silk Way Rally – a 10-day event that also includes stages in Mongolia before finishing in China on July 16. Andrew’s Rockstar Energy Husqvarna […]

THIRD PLACE FOR ANDREW SHORT ON STAGE FOUR IN ABU DHABI

April 4, 2019 Michael Le Pard

ROCKSTAR ENERGY HUSQVARNA FACTORY RACING RIDER LIES FIFTH OVERALL GOING INTO FINAL STAGE Following a challenging stage three of the 2019 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing rider Andrew Short has put […]

ANDREW SHORT FINISHES FIFTH IN ABU DHABI DESERT CHALLENGE 2019

April 4, 2019 Michael Le Pard

ROCKSTAR ENERGY HUSQVARNA FACTORY RACING RIDER SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETES OPENING ROUND OF THE FIM CROSS-COUNTRY RALLIES WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Andrew Short has placed fifth overall at round one of the 2019 FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship, the […]