Date: January 17, 2025

The 47th Dakar Rally concluded after a grueling 15 days.

With 12 stages and a total distance of over 7,700 KM, including a 48-hour timed section and a marathon stage, the event was a massive test for vehicles, riders, and logistics alike.

In the motorcycle category, 134 riders started, but 45 were forced to withdraw.

Our emotions fluctuated throughout the event—ups and downs, joys and sorrows, and moments of heartache. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why the Dakar Rally captivates us so much.

#66 Neels

Overall Ranking: 15th

Best Stage Ranking: SS7, 15th

#45 Sunier

Overall Ranking: 37th

Best Stage Ranking: SS10, 30th

#98 Mason

Best Stage Ranking: SS6, 7th

#75 Deng Liansong

Best Stage Ranking: SS3, 37th

There were no absolute smooth sailing, nor were there constant adversities. We are grateful to our fellow riders who joined us in this Dakar 2025 season, filled with joy, disappointment, pain, and warmth.

#98 Mason from the Kove Factory Team shone brightly, especially in stages SS4, SS5, and SS6, bringing us many touching moments.

#66 Neels demonstrated great courage and meticulousness. His collaboration with the 450RALLY EX was perfect, and his targeted tactics often surprised us pleasantly.

#75 Deng Liansong from the Xipson Kove Team suffered injuries in SS4, including fractures and muscle damage. His story was truly moving.

#45 Sunier pursued his goals steadily and also showed off his skills by performing a wheelie during SS3, impressing the world with his style.

#80 Haleem's act of rescuing Mason made the concept of "what goes around comes around" more tangible. 

#50 James, despite a broken nose, insisted on participating, showcasing the perseverance of a Manx TT champion.

There are many more memorable people and events that enriched the Dakar Rally, making the "desert" less barren.

In Dakar 2025, everyone shone in their own way, staying humble in good times and resilient in bad times.

A Hard-Earned 15th Place

The Best Performance for a Chinese Manufacture

Our factory rider #66 Neels achieved an overall ranking of 15th, setting a new record for domestic motorcycles in Dakar history.

Competing against the world's leading motorcycle manufacturers and teams, every step up the ranking required immense effort.

The Kove Factory Team has come a long way from an overall ranking of 46th in 2023 (set by Sunier) to 15th in 2025, a leap of 31 places over three seasons. This progress was hard-earned.

Of course, the 15th place is not something to be overly proud of. "Ranking" is merely a byproduct of our collective efforts.

Kove's Self-Developed Engine

The "Gen2 Engine" for Dakar 2025

The 450RALLY EX motorcycle used in the Dakar 2025 season featured Kove's self-developed engine.

This engine, first introduced in Dakar in January 2024 and referred to by fans as the "first-generation engine," underwent further refinement through top-tier international competitions such as the Taklimakan Rally, RALLE DU MOROCCO and the ISDE Endurance Championship.

In 2025, it returned to Dakar as the "second-generation engine." It was used by 12 riders from 10 countries, who praised its excellent performance—stable, powerful, and extremely lightweight, giving it a significant advantage in desert stages.

After the rigorous tests of the 2025 season, the 450RALLY EX's overall performance is set to improve further. With the "third-generation engine" in Dakar 2026, we expect even more impressive results.

Kove: Becoming the Choice of More People

Whether in Dakar or WSBK (World Superbike Championship), we have taken a step closer to our "small goal"—making Kove products the choice of more people. Only through real combat can we achieve this.

The conclusion of the Dakar 2025 season marks the beginning of a new battle for us.

Thank you for being part of Kove's story.

In 2026, we will transform once again and face new challenges.