Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2025: Dacia Sandriders Aim for Victory
The Dacia Sandriders are set to build on their Dakar Rally success by contending for a win at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, scheduled from 22 to 27 February 2025. This marks another new challenge for the team, following their triumphant debut at the Rallye du Maroc last October. Competing over six days, the challenge offers a thrilling race against the clock across the magnificent dunes east and south of the Emirate.
In the second round of the 2025 FIA World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC), the Dacia Sandriders are entering a sustainably fuelled Dacia Sandrider, driven by teams Nasser Al-Attiyah / Édouard Boulanger and Sébastien Loeb / Fabian Lurquin.
After showcasing their prowess at the Dakar Rally with four top-10 stage times, Cristina Gutiérrez and Pablo Moreno will continue their W2RC campaign later this season. Al-Attiyah, a Qatari driver and four-time Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge winner, triumphed in 2024 with Boulanger, marking the Frenchman’s second victory. Loeb and his Belgian co-driver Lurquin secured eighth place overall in 2022.
Located near Saudi Arabia's Dakar Rally, the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge begins just over a month after the W2RC season opener, minimising transportation and logistics costs.
The team principal, Tiphanie Isnard, highlighted the intense preparation period: "The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge is an extension of the Dakar. There has been minimal time between our return from Dakar and the start of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. Yet, the team has excelled under pressure, staying focused despite the demanding workload and fatigue from Dakar."
The team is keen to leverage its Dakar experience to enhance its Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge performance. Despite the tight schedule after Dakar, the team has conducted extensive debriefs with its crews, integrating their feedback to strengthen its approach to this crucial second event of the W2RC season, where maximising points and progress is paramount.
The competition starts with a 72-kilometre Prologue stage in Al Ain on 22 February. The following day, crews begin the first five competitive stages, a 400-kilometre journey from Al Ain to Mezeer’ah. Subsequent stages challenge the teams further, including the inaugural Marathon Stage, where crews must manage without team assistance. The rally concludes on 27 February, covering a total distance of 1,920 kilometres, including the Prologue.
Nasser Al-Attiyah was enthusiastic about the rally: "The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge is my favourite. We're well-prepared to lead in Abu Dhabi and aim for the world championship."
Sébastien Loeb also shared his anticipation: "After a challenging Dakar, I'm eager to tackle the vast dunes of Abu Dhabi, which are unique compared to other championship rounds. I'm looking forward to achieving a better result and enjoying more time driving in the dunes."
With a seasoned team and firm strategy, the Dacia Sandriders are poised to impact the 2025 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge significantly.
