Sanders on the edge of history

By Thomas Miles

Date posted: 22 May 2025

Australia’s Dakar Rally winner Daniel Sanders is on the edge of more history as the World Rally Raid Championship tackles the South African Safari.

The 2025 World Rally Raid Championship has entered its third round in Africa and Sanders has enjoyed a strong start to his quest of carrying on his perfect start.

In KTM rider followed up his famous Dakar win with another victory in the second round, the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge.

Now with the championship heading south to South Africa, Sanders has continued his winning ways.

After kicking things off by being fastest in the Prologue, Sanders got his second victory in three days.

In Stage 2 he kept resurgent teammate Luciano Benavides behind by 32s to return to the lead.

It has put the Australian on the edge of history with it being his 17th W2RC triumph in RallyGP, which puts him level with Adrien Van Beveren.

As a result, another win will push Sanders clear of any other.

He is also well placed in the general classification with “Chucky” extending his overall lead to 1m11s.

Benavides sits second and is the best part of two minutes clear of Honda teammates Adrien Van Beveren and Ricky Brabec.

Two big names have already dropped out of the event being Tosha Schareina with a handy injury and Ross Branch with mechanical gremlins.

Branch’s retirement is especially big news after he won the opening stage.

Three stages remain in South Africa with tonight’s 246km journey heading from Marathon Camp to Sun City.

Image: A.S.O / EdoPhoto

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