Sports · Motorsport · 3 hrs ago
KTM confirms Daniel Sanders for 2027 Dakar Rally
KTM has confirmed Australian rider Daniel Sanders for the 2027 Dakar Rally as a factory team rider.
Sanders finished fifth in the 2026 race after breaking his collarbone while leading, ending his bid for back-to-back wins.
He later won rounds in Portugal and Argentina and took the lead in the World Rally-Raid Championship.
The 2027 Dakar will start in Portugal and finish in Morocco, rather than taking place in Saudi Arabia.
The race runs from January 9 to 23 and covers 7,824 kilometres, including 4,341 kilometres of timed stages.
Sanders will ride a KTM 450 Rally and says the new route will bring unfamiliar terrain.
He and the team will prepare for the race through the end of the year, with the Dakar opening the 2027 World Rally-Raid Championship season.
KTM has confirmed Australian rider Daniel Sanders for the 2027 Dakar Rally.
The rally will begin in Portugal on January 9 and finish in Morocco on January 23.
Sanders will ride a KTM 450 Rally and is set to compete in his seventh Dakar.
He finished fifth in the 2026 event after breaking his collarbone while leading.
Sanders said he was excited to race in new locations after the rally moved from Saudi Arabia.
- Who
- Daniel Sanders, an Australian rider with the factory KTM team.
- What
- KTM confirmed Sanders for the 2027 Dakar Rally.
- When
- The rally runs from January 9 to January 23, 2027.
- Where
- It begins in Portugal and concludes in Morocco.
- Why
- Not stated
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Sanders broke his collarbone while leading and finished fifth.
Sanders won the Portugal and Argentina rounds to take the championship lead.
The Dakar Rally is scheduled to begin in Portugal.
The Dakar Rally is scheduled to conclude in Morocco.
- Rider
- Daniel Sanders
- Motorcycle
- KTM 450 Rally
- 2027 Dakar dates
- January 9–23
- Route
- Portugal to Morocco
- Distance
- 7,824km, including 4,341km of special stages
What people are saying
The 2026 season hasn’t quite gone to plan compared to last year
I’m really excited about the change of location.
I believe we are in a very strong position, and I’m really proud of everything the team has achieved as we look ahead to 2027.