Aussie Beekeeper’s Epic Desert Triumph: How ‘Chucky’ Conquered the Dakar Rally Against All Odds

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Daniel Sanders has achieved a historic victory by becoming the second Australian to win the prestigious Dakar Rally and the first motorcyclist in 16 years to lead the grueling two-week race from start to finish. The 30-year-old Victorian, widely known as Chucky in the rally community, completed his journey across the desert dunes of Saudi Arabia to Shubaytah aboard his Red Bull KTM, securing a wire-to-wire triumph.

On the final day, Sanders strategically held his position, finishing sixth in the 61-kilometre mass-start stage. He successfully maintained a nine-minute lead over his nearest competitor, Spain’s Tosha Schareina of the Monster Energy Honda team. Despite the high-pressure environment, Sanders managed to only drop 10 seconds to Schareina, ultimately clinching victory by a margin of 8 minutes and 50 seconds. This win makes him the first Australian champion since his close friend Toby Price, a two-time triumphing motorcyclist, six years ago.


“This is massive,” Sanders exclaimed after the race. “Coming over the last dune, seeing the bivouac, I got chills through my entire body. It’s the biggest race for motorbikes and off-road, and winning it fulfills all my career goals.”

Sanders hails from the rural community of Three Bridges in Victoria, where he grew up on the family apple farm and developed a passion for beekeeping. His prowess on the rally scene has earned him a revered status among motorsport enthusiasts. Since his Dakar debut in 2021, where he spectacularly finished fourth as the top rookie, Sanders has faced numerous setbacks, including injuries, a severe bout of food poisoning, and even a bee sting under his helmet. His persistence and resilience finally paid off in his fifth rally appearance.

His journey to victory was built on a solid foundation, winning the prologue and four of the first five stages of the race, establishing a lead he maintained throughout. Last year’s triumph in the Rally of Morocco further hinted at his potential for Dakar glory.

The Dakar Rally has transformed from its original route from Paris to Dakar in Senegal, now taking place across the challenging deserts of Saudi Arabia due to security reasons, yet it remains one of the most arduous off-road racing events globally.