His speed and skills were showcased from the outset, winning the prologue, the opening stage and the ultra-tough 48-hour Chrono stage to get the early upper hand that put him in a great position early on. Further wins in stages four and seven on his KTM 450 Rally followed shortly after, and put in solid performances in the remaining stages to ensure he is just the second rider in the history of the Dakar Rally to lead from start to finish, echoeing Marc Coma’s efforts in 2009.

The final quarter of the 16-day event did, however, have some challenges thrown his way, including a tough run in stage 11 where his overall lead was slashed by seven and a half minutes, but Sanders held his nerve and steadied for the 61km final dash to the flag, with a sixth-place finish enough to clinch overall victory. With the win coming in Sanders’ fifth attempt of the rally, he is also the second Australian to win the iconic event following Toby Price’s efforts in 2016 and 2018.

‘Chucky’ Sanders was dominant in the Dakar Rally, leading from start to finish “It’s a massive accomplishment from myself and the team after a tough year, and I can’t thank everyone enough for the support,” he said. “It’s been a long journey, and I can’t wait to celebrate with everyone “Now it’s time to kick back and relax after a long two weeks.”

Tosha Schareina (Monster Energy Honda, +8:50) and Adrien Van Beveren (Monster Energy Honda, +14:46) were second and third respectively.

It was a mixed bag for the remaining Australians competing in Dakar, with Toby Hederics (BAS World KTM) putting in a formidable performance to finish 19th overall in the bike classification, while Andrew Houlihan (Nomadas Adventure KTM) withdrew following stage eight.

Andreas Hölzl – Rally Team Manager: “That’s the 2025 Dakar done! I’m super happy for Chucky and the rest of the guys, the win is so well deserved. To be the second person ever to lead from the first day to the end is something really special. What we have achieved in a year is unique and we are very proud. I’m happy for the team, for KTM, and we are going to celebrate for sure!”

Provisional Standings – 2025 Dakar Rally (after 12 of 12 stages)

1. Daniel Sanders (AUS), KTM, 53:08:52
2. Tosha Schareina (ESP), Honda, 53:17:42 +8:50
3. Adrien Van Beveren (FRA), Honda, 53:23:38 +14:46
4. Luciano Benavides (ARG), KTM, 53:31:08 +22:16
5. Ricky Brabec (USA), Honda, 53:38:42 +29:50

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From 2018 to date, Jack has achieved 16 podiums with the Desmosedici GP, including two thrilling wins with the factory team in the Spanish GP at Jerez and the French GP at Le Mans in 2021. It is also thanks to Jack’s results that Ducati won the Constructors’ World Championship in 2020 and 2021 and the title of Best Team in MotoGP last season with the Ducati Lenovo Team.

Miller and Ducati, as always, will work hard to obtain the best results for the Ducati Lenovo Team in all the remaining Grands Prix of the 2022 MotoGP Championship, starting with the German GP that will be held in ten days at the Sachsenring.

Luigi Dall’Igna (General Manager of Ducati Corse)
“Together with Jack, we have spent five wonderful seasons, during which we have achieved truly significant goals for us, such as the two Constructors’ World Titles obtained in 2020 and 2021 and last year’s Best Team Title. In addition, we should not forget the numerous podiums and the two stunning victories at Jerez and Le Mans. Miller is a very talented rider who has been able to understand our Desmosedici GP at its best. He is a fair and loyal person on whose full commitment we have always been able to count. I would therefore like to thank him on behalf of Ducati, the Ducati Lenovo Team, and all our partners for these five years spent together and wish him all the best for his near future!”

Jack Miller (#43 Ducati Lenovo Team)
“It’s been a really important five years for me: together with Ducati, I’ve achieved several podiums, including two wins that I’ll never forget. In addition to the two Constructors’ World Titles and the Team Title, last year, I finished fourth in the Championship, and that was my best result ever in MotoGP. Together with the Pramac Racing Team and the Ducati Lenovo Team, I have grown a lot as a rider and year after year, I have always felt like the best version of myself. Next year I will take on a new challenge, but right now, I want to think only about finishing this last season with my team in the best possible way. I thank all of Ducati Corse, my team, Gigi, Paolo, Davide, and the people who have worked with me over these five seasons”.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing have confirmed Jack Miller will line-up alongside Brad Binder for 2023 and 2024 in MotoGP after announcing the Australian has signed a two-year deal. Miller turned 27 in January but already has more than a decade of Grand Prix experience, including nine victories and almost 30 podiums in both Moto3 and MotoGP.

2014 was the most prolific term of his career so far as a powerful union with Aki Ajo’s Red Bull KTM Ajo squad saw him score six wins and only just miss out on the Moto3 title. He made a high-profile move straight into the MotoGP category for 2015. Miller will link up again with Francesco Guidotti, having worked with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s current Team Manager for three of his eight years in MotoGP.

Francesco Guidotti, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager
“Having Jack alongside Brad in our team means we have another strong asset. I know him well, I know how he likes to work and what he can bring to the box. I believe his character and the way he will ride and push our KTM RC16 will help us a lot at this stage of our project. Like Brad, Jack is a pure racer: he will find the limits and the maximum of any condition and any package and still ‘go for it’ to get the result and that is quite a rare quality. The next two seasons will be exciting!”

Pit Beirer, Director KTM Motorsports
“Of course we’ve known Jack since he made a boom with Aki and our Moto3 program and it’s a big pleasure to bring a rider of his capabilities into our MotoGP structure. He left us with a positive impression, and we’ve stayed in contact. Jack’s approach and attitude to racing are very similar to ours. I am very proud that he comes back to Red Bull KTM again and he will be a great addition to our mission.”

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As World Champions tend to do, the duo arrived at the bodega in style, blasting across the cobbles on the two KTM 1290 Super Dukes and off the back of some burnouts, as ever. Once inside, the two had a blast round La Conchabuilding within the complex, and then it was time to connect their horsepower to the carriage.

Against the backdrop of the sun-drenched bodega, the two headed up a traditional carriage helmed by a local coachwoman, with their MotoGP and Moto2 bikes first taking centre stage and two stunning flamencas adding a dash of even more local flavour. Then it was time to pull the carriage and for that, the two KTM 1290 Super Dukes were on hand once again – connected together to keep the show rolling smoothly across the cobbles, and past the Alcazar in central Jerez.

Now it’s next stop the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto, with both ready to saddle up back in the day job of being two of the fastest riders in the world.

Remy Gardner: “It’s been really fun, we just pulled around some ladies in the carriage, that was fun. It’s a pretty nice place here! I didn’t know it existed, it’s nice to explore Jerez and I’m super excited to be here. I’m feeling good about the weekend, we managed to score two points last week and hopefully we can improve on that. Seem like last year in testing we went quite fast here so I’m looking forward to getting the weekend started.”

Pedro Acosta: “Hanging out with Remy is always fun, I managed to disconnect a bit! I’m trying not to think about the race too much and just enjoy. I don’t have expectations of the weekend, I just want to continue learning and bit by bit get towards the front. And, more than anything, enjoy it.”

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The event began in the town by the waterfront, with fans gathering for a glimpse of their hero as Oliveira took to the stage, with Mayor of Portimão Isilda Gomes and circuit CEO Paulo Pinheiro also in attendance. After talking to the fans and revealing a special helmet design too, Oliveira then went down to the crowd, signed some autographs, and took more than a few selfies. Then it was time to get suited and booted for the ride to the track – for both rider and fans.

Riding alongside and following a MotoGP rider – who is riding a MotoGP bike – is a truly unique opportunity, and an awe-inspiring number of bikers weren’t about to pass that up. Once Oliveira’s RC16 was warmed up and ready to go, the procession took off from the town and the hundreds of bikes slotted in behind as the parade snaked its way up towards the track. With the journey taking more than half an hour, there was more than enough time for the fans to soak in the experience… and the experience was still far from over.

This time, the track wasn’t simply a destination. It awaited with another unique opportunity: a lap of the venue, with a MotoGP rider on a MotoGP bike. Thundering through the gates and up towards the paddock, the parade headed from the road onto the circuit for a lap of the iconic rollercoaster, with Oliveira remaining front and centre.

Miguel Oliveira: “We had a good comparison last year with fans and without, and for sure this season we wanted to also to make something special, a pre-event and it had to involve the fans. It was a great opportunity, the last time I rode a MotoGP machine on the street was in August after my win in Spielberg, so now we got the chance to ride it again and it’s quite special – this time even more because they can follow me, and it’s really cool.”

“I think everyone who loves motorcycles and riding… I mean, if I put myself in their shoes I wouldn’t miss this chance! It’s a huge opportunity to ride, see these bikes close up, which are amazing and quite unique. I wouldn’t want to miss it! It’s a great day. My expectations for the weekend is to enjoy the weekend and get a good result, haha. Being in Portugal gives me an extra boost and motivation that whatever happened before doesn’t really matter, it’s all about enjoying the weekend and doing the best we can.”

MotoGP is its own orchestra when the revs go up and the lights go out every Sunday, but the grid full of fans gave even the world’s fastest motorcycle racing Championship a run for its money on sheer energy and noise. If Portugal’s love of MotoGP and Miguel Oliveira needed an introduction, in 2022 it got one in serious style. And now it’s time for the rest of the grid to line up alongside the home hero and take on the former winner on familiar turf, so make sure to tune in for the 2022 Portuguese on Sunday at 13:00 (GMT +1).

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