The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge is an international rally raid race held in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi of the United Arab Emirates since 1991. The race is points scoring for the World Rally-Raid Championship and is organized by the Automobile & Touring Club of the United Arab Emirates (ATCUAE),[1] headed by the event founder Mohammed bin Sulayem.[2]
Originally for cars only, motorcycles and quads are allowed since 1995 and trucks since 2002.[3] [4]
The event was originally known as the UAE Desert Challenge, since it spanned several emirates of the country. Since 2009, the route includes five stages (plus a Super Special stage) entirely within the Abu Dhabi emirate, and the title changed to the current one.[5] [6]
| Year | Rider | Motorcycle | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 |  Heinz Kinigadner | KTM LC4 | |
| 1996 |  Stéphane Peterhansel | Yamaha M3 | |
| 1997 |  Jordi Arcarons | KTM 660 | |
| 1998 | Heinz Kinigadner | KTM LC4 660 | |
| 1999 |  Fabrizio Meoni | KTM 660 | |
| 2000 |  Jimmy Lewis | BMW 900 RR | |
| 2001 | Cyril Despres | KTM 660 | |
| 2002 | Cyril Despres | KTM 660 | |
| 2003 | Cyril Despres | KTM 660 | |
| 2004 | Isidre Esteve | KTM 660 | |
| 2005 | Cyril Despres | KTM 660 | |
| 2006 | Marc Coma | KTM 660 | |
| 2007 | Marc Coma | KTM 660 | |
| 2008 | Cyril Despres | KTM 690 | |
| 2009 | Marc Coma | KTM 690 | |
| 2010 | Marc Coma | KTM 690 Rally | |
| 2011 | Marc Coma | KTM 450 Rally | |
| 2012 | Marc Coma | KTM 450 Rally | |
| 2013 | Marc Coma | KTM 450 Rally | |
| 2014 | Paulo Gonçalves | Honda | |
| 2015 | Marc Coma | KTM 450 Rally | |
| 2016 |  Toby Price | KTM 450 Rally | |
| 2017 |  Sam Sunderland | KTM 450 Rally | |
| 2018 |  Pablo Quintanilla | Husqvarna 450 Rally | |
| 2019 | Sam Sunderland | KTM 450 Rally | |
| 2020 | Not held | ||
| 2021 | Matthias Walkner | KTM 450 Rally | |
| 2022 | Sam Sunderland | Gas Gas 450 Rally Factory Replica | |
| 2023 | Adrien Van Beveren | Honda CRF 450 Rally | |
| 2024 |  Aaron Marè | Hero 450 Rally |
Jean-Marie Lurquin
Edouard Boulanger