The 2026 Tatts Finke Desert Race saw a strong performance from the STE Racing KTM team, with Liam Walsh claiming third place outright after three demanding days of competition. Teammate Kodi Stephens also delivered a solid and consistent ride to finish fourth overall.
Equipped with KTM 500 EXC-F machinery, Saturday’s Prologue saw Stephens positioned eighth and Walsh 10th fastest, forming a foundation to build upon for the opening stage of competition on Sunday.
On Sunday’s 226km run to Finke (Aputula), Stephens led the way for the STE Racing KTM team, stopping the clock in 2:01:01.548 in P3. Walsh followed closely in fourth overall, just 23 seconds behind on the race down from Alice Springs.
The return journey on Monday afternoon saw a reversal of roles, with Walsh – who has been impacted by injury in recent seasons – moving ahead of Stephens to secure a well-earned third overall at the iconic event, posting a total time of 3:59:01.890.
Liam Walsh: “I don’t have a lot of words to say at the moment, I’m pretty emotional. Eight weeks ago, I didn’t think I would be racing this race – it has been a long road, but we got it done. I had to work really hard to be on the bike this weekend and I’m glad that we made it. This was a dream of mine growing up and to be on the podium with my cousin [David Walsh] is amazing. So, a massive thanks to the whole STE Racing KTM team – I wouldn’t be able to do it without them.”
Stephens finished just behind Walsh at the chequered flag to claim fourth overall, recording a total time of 4:02:52.466 to round out a convincing all-round effort for the team at the 2026 edition of the event. And, directly behind Kodi in fifth position was his brother Levi Stephens, who has also been supported through KTM Newcastle for much of his young career.
Kodi Stephens: “It was a good weekend for me at Finke! I Prologued eighth, which wasn’t the best, but I clicked off a few riders to arrive at Finke in third. I had some solid battles again on the way back to Alice – Liam and I were close for the first 60kms and came into the first fuel stop together. Then I followed his dust for around 40 kilometres, before I kind of put it in cruise control to get it back to town because the track was so gnarly. Overall, it was a good weekend. I’m happy to finish in fourth overall and on the podium in class, but I’ll be coming back next year for more!”
In addition, last year’s runner-up Campbell Hall again charged to P2 once again in the 2026 race onboard his Dubbo City Motorcycles-supported KTM 500 EXC-F, which was also good enough for first position in Class 2 ahead of Walsh and Kodi Stephens.
The weekend also saw Madi Healey successfully defend her ‘Queen of the Desert’ crown aboard a KTM 450 SX-F, becoming a highly-decorated three-time winner at the Finke Desert Race in the Women’s Class.
2026 Finke Desert Race Bike results
1. David Walsh (Honda) 3h49m27.938s
2. Campbell Hall (KTM) 3h55m35.051s
3. Liam Walsh (STE Racing KTM) 3h59m37.890s
4. Kodi Stephens (STE Racing KTM) 4h02m52.466s
5. Levi Stephens (KTM) 4h04m52.547s
