First week of the 47th Dakar Rally is complete, and teams are enjoying a well-deserved rest day in Saudi Arabia. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing has had a strong start to the race and is now preparing for the challenges of the second week. Daniel Sanders leads the overall standings with a 15-minute advantage after winning three of the five stages. Rookie Edgar Canet has impressed by sitting 10th overall and leading the Rally2 category. Luciano Benavides is currently 7th overall after finishing stage five as the runner-up. Unfortunately, Kevin Benavides, returning to the race after an injury, decided to withdraw after completing the first week due to physical challenges.
Dakar 2025 Week 1 Recap!
Daniel Sanders: Focused on the Win
Daniel Sanders has shown incredible determination and skill during the first week. He started strong by winning the opening prologue and followed it up with victories in stages one and two. Despite some challenges while leading stage three, he maintained his advantage and came back with another win on stage four. Now, Sanders is focused on the final seven stages to strengthen his lead and aim for the top of the podium.
Daniel Sanders:
“The first week has been really strong for me. I feel great on the bike, and I’m happy with my riding and navigation. I’m resting now, but I’m excited to tackle the second half of the race.”
Luciano Benavides: Pushing for the Podium
Luciano Benavides has delivered consistent performances, finishing in the top 10 in most stages. His hard work paid off with a second-place finish on stage five, and he’s aiming to climb higher in the rankings during the second week.
Luciano Benavides:
“I’m happy with my position after week one, especially my result on stage five. I’m ready to fight hard next week and aim for even better results.”
Edgar Canet: A Rising Star
At just 19 years old, Edgar Canet has made a remarkable debut at the Dakar Rally. Competing in the Rally2 category, he has already won two stages and holds a solid 10th place overall while leading his class by 16 minutes. His goal is to finish his first Dakar and secure the Rally2 title.
Edgar Canet:
“It’s been a tough but amazing first week. I’m happy with my performance and the support from the team. I’ll keep pushing in week two and aim for a strong finish.”
Kevin Benavides: A Brave Decision
Two-time Dakar Champion Kevin Benavides showed resilience by completing the first week despite not being at full fitness. However, the physical strain proved too much, and he made the difficult decision to withdraw to avoid further injury.
Kevin Benavides:
“It’s frustrating to step away, but my body needs time to recover. I want to thank the team and fans for their support, and I hope to come back stronger.”
What’s Next for Red Bull KTM?
Rally Team Manager Andreas Hölzl expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance so far. With Sanders in the lead, Luciano in a solid position, and Edgar excelling in Rally2, the team is optimistic about their chances in the second week of the Dakar Rally.
Stay tuned as the 2025 Dakar Rally enters its thrilling second half!
