Spanish rider Tosha Schareina is standing out in his debut at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, securing his second consecutive stage victory and consolidating his position at the top of the general classification.
In this first stage, competitors faced the vast Arabian dunes for the first time, in a challenging 243-kilometer test of navigation and endurance. From the Al Ain camp, riders followed a demanding route to the stunning Liwa region, finishing in Mezaira’a.
Prologue winner Schareina took advantage of his privileged starting position, setting off in tenth place. With temperatures rising throughout the day, the Spaniard masterfully dominated the sandy terrain and dunes, crossing the finish line with an advantage of nearly two minutes over Ricky Brabec, his teammate at Monster Energy Honda HRC. This result allowed him to consolidate his lead in the general classification, where he now holds a 2-minute and 7-second advantage over Brabec.
Schareina’s performance at the start of this competition leaves no doubt about his potential. The Spaniard shows growing confidence and a high technical level in navigating the demanding desert landscapes, establishing himself as a strong contender for the final victory.
With more stages ahead, the competition promises to remain tight, but for now, Schareina has already made his mark in this edition of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge.
Top five of the first stage:
Top five of the first stage:
| Pos. | Rider | Num | Nation | Team | Constructor | Time/Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tosha Schareina | 68 | SPA | Monster Energy Honda HRC | Honda | 02:54:00 |
| 2 | Ricky Brabec | 9 | USA | Monster Energy Honda HRC | Honda | + 01:54 |
| 3 | Luciano Benavides | 1 | ARG | KTM Factory Racing Team | KTM | + 03:18 |
| 4 | Ross Branch | 16 | BWA | Hero Motorsports Team Rally | Hero | + 05:08 |
| 5 | José Ignacio Cornejo | 11 | CHI | Hero Motorsports Team Rally | Hero | + 05:39 |
Top five overall:
| Pos. | Rider | Num | Nation | Team | Constructor | Time/Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tosha Schareina | 68 | SPA | Monster Energy Honda HRC | Honda | 03:00:53 |
| 2 | Ricky Brabec | 9 | USA | Monster Energy Honda HRC | Honda | + 02:07 |
| 3 | Luciano Benavides | 1 | ARG | KTM Factory Racing Team | KTM | + 03:22 |
| 4 | Ross Branch | 16 | BWA | Hero Motorsports Team Rally | Hero | + 05:24 |
| 5 | José Ignacio Cornejo | 11 | CHI | Hero Motorsports Team Rally | Hero | + 06:17 |
