How To Watch The 2025 Dakar Rally In Australia

 

There is no challenge in motorsport quite like the Dakar Rally and this ultimate test of endurance is back for its 47th year.

 

When: Friday 3rd till Friday 17th of January 2025

This year, it’s a gruelling two-week odyssey across the breathtaking (and brutal) Saudi Arabian landscape. We're talking 7,700 kms of dust, dunes, and daring, with a whopping 5,100 kms of special stages that'll push riders to their absolute limits. From amateurs chasing their dreams to seasoned champions battling for glory, this is where legends are made. It all starts with a high-speed 29km Prologue Stage on the 3rd of January followed by 12 desert stages over 14 days, finishing in the Empty Quarter, Shubatyah on the 17th.

 

Keen To Catch All The High-Octane Action? Here’s How:

• SBS Network is your go-to for free, exclusive coverage in Aus. They'll be serving up extended highlights each evening, so you can relive the day's most epic moments. Sign up for a free SBS On Demand and you’ll able to catch up on all the action.
• For those who crave constant updates, the Dakar Rally Official Page is a must-visit. They'll be dropping the freshest highlights and footage daily, keeping you in the loop with all the twists and turns.
• If you're the kind of person who needs to know exactly what's happening right now, head over to Tracking Dakar for real-time updates.
• If watching isn’t enough to satisfy your Dakar cravings, head over to the ADV Rider forum to discuss it live with other rally maniacs from around the world!

 

What’s New For 2025?

To add even more excitement and challenge, the 2025 Dakar Rally is shaking things up! Two-wheeled and four-wheeled competitors will be tackling separate courses for at least 5 of the rally's 12 stages. As for the truckers, they’ll have a dedicated course in the final stages to really put their skills and machines to the test.

 

Photo: Marcin Kin / Red Bull Content Pool

 

Aussie Riders To Watch At Dakar

We’ve got an epic lineup of five homegrown heroes ready to take on the world’s toughest race.

Toby Price - He’s going for his third Dakar win, but this time swapping two wheels for four! Keep an eye on him as he navigates the treacherous terrain in a Toyota Hilux paired with 2-time Dakar champ Sam Sunderland.

Daniel Sanders - This seasoned pro is back for his fifth Dakar, ready to tear it up on two wheels for KTM.

Andrew Houlihan - After a three-year hiatus, Andrew is back in the saddle and ready to show the world what he's made of.

Toby Hederics - This young gun is making his Dakar debut, and we can't wait to see him unleash his talent on the world stage.

Peter and Christopher Schey - This dynamic duo is back for their second crack at the Dakar Classic, and they're sure to make us proud.

 

How Did It All Begin?

This epic race wasn’t cooked up in a boardroom, it was born out of pure, unadulterated adventure. Back in ‘79, the first official race kicked off sending a wild bunch of racers on a heart-pounding journey from the streets of Paris to the scorching sands of Dakar, Senegal.

It was the brainchild of legendary adventurer Thierry Sabine, inspired by a moment of truth in the Sahara, lost and surrounded by endless dunes. Sabine realised that this was the ultimate playground for a race that would push riders to their absolute limits. Speed, endurance, determination, navigational skills - the Dakar demands it all. And the best part? It’s never the same! The route changes every year, keeping riders on their toes and ensuring that every Dakar is a fresh, exhilarating challenge. From its roots in Africa to its adventures in South America and now the unforgiving terrain of Saudi Arabia, the Dakar Rally is a global challenge that embodies the spirit of adventure.

 

The 2025 Stages

• Prologue on January 3: Bisha > Bisha = 79km total, 29km special
• Stage 1 on January 4: Bisha > Bisha = 500km total, 412km special
• Stage 2 on January 5 & 6: Bisha > Bisha = 1,057km total, 965km special
• Stage 3 on January 7: Bisha > Al Henakiyah = 845km total, 496km special
• Stage 4 on January 8: Al Henakiyah > AlUla = 588km total, 415km special
• Stage 5 on January 9: AlUla > Hail = 491km total, 428km special
• Rest Day on January 10: Hail
• Stage 6 on January 11: Hail > Al Duwadimi = 829km total, 606km special
• Stage 7 on January 12: Al Duwadimi > Al Duwadimi = 745km total, 481km special
• Stage 8 on January 13: Al Duwadimi > Riyadh = 733km total, 487km special
• Stage 9 on January 14: Riyadh > Haradh = 589km total, 357km special
• Stage 10 on January 15: Haradh > Shubaytah = 638km total, 119km special
• Stage 11 on January 16: Shubaytah > Shubaytah = 506km total, 280km special
• Stage 12 on January 17: Shubaytah > Shubaytah = 205km total, 134km special