Fresh from victories at Rally-Raid Portugal and the Desafío Ruta 40, and currently leading the 2026 FIM World Rally-Raid Championship, Daniel Sanders has signed a new multi-year contract extension with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, reaffirming his long-term future with the team.

In his time with KTM, Sanders has established himself as one of rally-raid’s leading riders, combining exceptional speed with consistency across the world’s toughest events. His victory at the 2025 Dakar Rally marked a major milestone in both his career and the team’s recent history, and firmly cemented his status among the discipline’s elite competitors.

The Australian has continued that momentum into the 2026 season, delivering an impressive run of results aboard the KTM 450 RALLY. Back-to-back victories at Rally-Raid Portugal and the recent Desafío Ruta 40 in Argentina have propelled Sanders to the top of the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship standings after three rounds. Along the way, Daniel also extended his record as the most successful stage winner in W2RC history, taking his tally to 32 stage victories.

The contract extension further strengthens Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s rally line-up as the team looks to build on its recent successes and continue challenging for victories and championship titles in the years ahead. With his speed, experience, and proven ability to deliver results at the highest level, Sanders remains a key part of KTM’s long-term rally ambitions.

In the break from the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship, Sanders returned to offroad competition this weekend at the 2026 Red Bull Erzbergrodeo in Austria where he finished second in the Iron Road Prologue.

Daniel Sanders: “I’m really excited to continue with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing and extend my time with the rally team. We’ve come a long way together over the last few years, and it feels like we’ve built something really special as a team. Everyone is constantly pushing to improve, and that drive to keep getting better is one of the things I enjoy most about being part of this group. The success we’ve achieved together so far has been incredible, and it gives me a lot of confidence and motivation for what’s still to come. We share the same goals to keep winning races, challenge for more Dakar victories, and fight for World Rally-Raid Championship titles. Racing for KTM has been a dream of mine since I was a kid, so to continue representing this brand means a lot to me. I’m looking forward to the next chapter and hopefully many more successful years together.”
Andreas Hölzl – Rally Team Manager: “Of course, we’re really happy to continue with Daniel for the years ahead. Having the current FIM World Rally-Raid Championship leader in the team is hugely important for us, not only because of his results, but also because of the role he plays within the wider programme. Daniel has become a key part of the team, contributing both at races and through the development of the KTM 450 RALLY. He continues to prove what he is capable of with every race, consistently delivering at the highest level and always looking for ways to improve. His speed, determination, and commitment make him a valuable asset to the team, and we’re excited to keep building on our success together and pushing for even more victories in the future.”