Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge to take drivers through historic path

Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge is ready to test the professionals and amateurs alike with one of the most innovative and demanding routes in the rally’s 34-year history.

The challenging five-stage rally, which will start for the first time from Al Ain, has transformed the Prologue as the spectator friendly curtain-raiser for the 2025 edition. Following the first stage from Al Ain all the way to Mezeer’ah, the drivers and riders of the 34th Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge will then head to the bivouac at Al Qua’a which, as part of an exciting new approach, will be a marathon stage not just for bikes, but also cars.

With the third and fourth stages straddling the challenging marathon camp, where competitors are deprived of outside mechanical assistance and spare parts, those that survive will take on the grand finale of a fifth stage, which culminates in stimulating Abu Dhabi.

“A second consecutive visit to Mezeer’ah, as well as exciting firsts for the event in Al Ain and Al Qua’a, highlight the innovate nature of the Desert Challenge as it continues to shine as the second round of the W2RC. The region prides itself on embracing both tradition and progress, values that are mirrored in the nomadic nature and continued evolution of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge,” said Nasser Al Mansoori, undersecretary of the Ruler’s Representative Court Al Dhafra Region.

The starting point for the 2025 Desert Challenge, the inland oasis of Al Ain, is equally steeped in history, and the exact location of the Super Special Stage among the Bronze Age remains will be announced shortly.

Running from Al Ain all the way to Mezeer’ah in the heart of the Liwa oasis, the first stage promises to test this year’s competitors from the outset and could prove to be the toughest stage.

From this green haven, the route heads out into intimidating 300-metre-high dunes. Part of the largest continuous sand desert on the planet, the Rub’ Al Khali also experiences extremes of temperature, ranging from over 50 degrees in the height of summer, down to just 5 degrees in winter.

As impressive as it is unforgiving, the Empty Quarter is a paradise of its own on for rally-raid competitors. Whether on two wheels or four, the endless desert has always been a key factor in attracting such a prestigious international entry and cementing the Desert Challenge as a highlight of the W2RC calendar.

“The Desert Challenge has gone from strength to strength throughout its rich history and remains at the forefront of the rally-raid discipline after 34 years, thanks to a combination of hard work and a willingness to evolve, which has resulted in decades of well-deserved world championship status,” said Aref Al Awani, Secretary General of Abu Dhabi Sports Council.

Whether they are professionals hoping to score valuable W2RC points or amateurs searching for adventure and to conquer sands of the infamous Empty Quarter desert, the competitors will have accomplished a great feat to reach the podium of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge.