The Rallye Dakar 2025, which commenced on January 3 and will run until January 17, 2025, has kicked off with thrilling events, drawing competitors from all over the globe. This year’s rally features 580 competitors from 52 nations, competing across 335 vehicles, ensuring the 47th edition promises to deliver just as much intensity and suspense as its predecessors.
On the motorcycle front, 134 riders have registered with three competitors representing Switzerland. The Swiss participants—Alexandre Vaudan (#64), Yann Di Mauro (#137), and Dennis Mildenberger (#140)—are all newcomers to the rally, racing under the Rally 2 category. Vaudan, born on August 12, 1994, hails from Le Châble and rides the KTM 450 Rally Replica, chasing a childhood dream. Di Mauro, born on November 7, 1984, operates a Triumph dealership and aims to carry on his father's legacy, who participated back in the 1980s. He rides the Honda CRF 450 Rally. Lastly, Mildenberger, who fulfilled his childhood dream of climbing Mt. Everest back in 2018, seeks to achieve another milestone by participating on the same KTM model as Vaudan.
The 2025 edition of Dakar includes various vehicle classes: 134 motorcycles, 64 cars from the Ultimate class, along with others like two Stock, 52 Challenger, 39 Side-by-Sides, and 44 trucks. The diverse range of vehicles contributes to the unique character and challenges presented by this grueling endurance event.
Also noteworthy is the "Mission 1000 Challenge," which features three motorcycles, one Side-by-Side, and one truck powered by alternative energy sources. This initiative reflects the rally's commitment to sustainability and innovation within motorsport.
For the fifth consecutive year, the Dakar Classic will be part of the rally, which will see 208 participants competing with 95 classic vehicles, including 76 cars and 19 trucks. The classic segment emphasizes the rally’s history and tradition, highlighting vehicles from earlier eras. Each category has its own distinct routes to navigate through the challenging terrain.
On January 3, the first day of the event, the prologue stage took place around Bisha, featuring competitors racing against the clock over 29 kilometers. This high-speed introduction set the stage for future races and awarded advantageous starting positions for the main event. Participants such as Mattias Ekström performed well, finishing closely behind Henk Lategan, the prologue’s victor. “I grew up with V8 engines, so I have much experience. I think the sound of a V8 is unmatched,” remarked Ekström.
Another standout was Daniel Sanders, who made headlines as he was the only rider to complete the prologue stage within 17 minutes on his Red Bull KTM Factory Racing bike, setting high expectations for himself for the subsequent stages. His team member, Edgar Canet, finished closely behind, ensuring their team’s strong position heading forward.
Not just traditional motorsport participants have joined the Dakar rally; the Challenger class saw impressive performances from the Red Bull Off-Road Junior Team, with rookie Corbin Leaverton expressing surprise at his results. “It’s only the beginning of this vast 12-stage race; it’s good to know we have the speed,” Leaverton stated, showcasing the excitement from younger competitors.
The next stage of the rally leads the participants on a 413-kilometer loop from Bisha, filled with challenging navigational puzzles across harsh, unyielding terrains, which prompts both skillful maneuvering and strategic planning.
With the number of participants totaling over 800 at the event, the National Pools from various countries dominate the standings, primarily featuring competitors from France, Spain, and Italy.
The spirit of the Dakar rally, characterized by resilience and adventure, shines through its contestants as they tackle competitive pressures and the natural elements, establishing it as one of the toughest motorsport events globally. This 2025 edition already promises to be filled with memorable moments and overwhelming challenges, keeping the excitement alive for fans and participants alike.
To keep abreast of the events, viewers and participants can follow along through various media channels and across the official Dakar website for live updates and coverage. Indeed, as the action continues, the world of motorsport eagerly anticipates what’s next for the Rallye Dakar 2025.