back and relax after a long two weeks .” Andreas Hölzl – Rally Team Manager : “ That ’ s the 2025 Dakar done ! I ’ m super happy for Chucky and the rest of the guys , the win is so well deserved . To be the second person ever to lead from the first day to the end is something really special . What we have achieved in a year is unique and we are very proud . I ’ m happy for the team , for KTM , and we are going to celebrate for sure !”
KTM As the winningest manufacturer in the history of the race ( and dominating from 2001 to 2019 on the top step ), 2024 would have been a year to forget without a single KTM on the podium . To say 2025 was a complete turnaround for the KTM team is an understatement . Sanders bounced back from 10th in 2024 to the top step of the podium in 2025 , and after winning the opening prologue , he didn ’ t relinquish the lead from start to finish , making him only the second rider to achieve the feat after Marc Coma .
He took another four stage wins on the way , dominating the race . This overall win gives KTM its 20th victory in the Dakar . It wasn ’ t a clean sweep though , Honda had their own plans to own the podium .
HONDA After a 31 year drought , Honda is clearly back with great bikes and some top talent , winning three Dakar titles in 2020 , 2021 and 2024 . With four riders in the top six and two of those on the podium , Honda and its riders are clearly top contenders , and were trying their hardest to come away with another win , but had to settle for 2nd and 3rd with Tosha Schareina and Adrien Van Beveren finishing within 15 minutes of Sanders . Riding his way into the record books at the 2024 Dakar Rally , Ricky Brabec became the first American to take two wins at the Dakar , but he couldn ’ t bring it home in 2025 , despite winning Stage Six , finishing 5th overall and third-placed Honda .
48 KIWI RIDER