Sheikh Yas bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan has honoured the winners of Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2025, which formed the second round of the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC), congratulating them for their accomplishment and presenting them with trophies during the event’s closing ceremony, held on Hudayriyat Island in Abu Dhabi.
The ceremony was attended by Sheikh Rashid bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Excellency Aref Hamad Al Awani, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC), Sheikh Hamdan bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Senior Project Manager at ADSC, Mahir Badri, Chief Executive of the Emirates Motorsports Organization (EMSO), and numerous leading sports figures. The ceremony also included a special tribute to the event’s sponsors and key supporters.
Sheikh Yas bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan emphasised the significance of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge as a testament to the UAE’s leadership in hosting world-class sporting events. He commended the organisers and competitors for their outstanding efforts.
Sheikh Yas bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan said: "We take great pride in having this global event as part of the UAE’s major sports calendar, and we look forward to even greater achievements in the future."
Organised by EMSO in cooperation with ADSC, the 2025 event marked a historic milestone with a new route. For the first time in its 34-year history, the event started in Al Ain and travelled through Al Dhafra, with the bivouac stationed in Mezaira’a, before concluding in Abu Dhabi. This innovative change saw 60 per cent of the course redesigned, setting a new benchmark for the event’s evolution. The much-anticipated alteration not only enhanced the rally’s dynamic nature but also preserved the thrill and challenges that have defined the Desert Challenge for more than three decades.
Recognised as one of the most prestigious motorsport events in the region, the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge attracts world-class drivers and riders who tackle the desert’s demanding terrain, testing both their skill and endurance. The rally continues to reinforce its reputation as a premier long-distance desert rally on the global stage.
Since its inception 34 years ago, the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge has been a cornerstone of the global rally-raid scene. Initially conceived by Mohammed Ben Sulayem – current President of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the global governing body for motorsports – the event has evolved into an international motor racing benchmark for skill, endurance, and determination.
Since its launch in 1991, the rally has welcomed some of the biggest names in the sport, including Jean-Louis Schlesser, Stéphane Peterhansel, Nasser Al Attiyah and Yazeed Al Rajhi, cementing its place as one of the most iconic events in the motorsport world.
