This is Tobias Ebster’s second start at the Dakar Rally – this time he is part of the BAS-KTM team – in 2025 he is the only Austrian in the regular categories
Tobias Ebster caused a sensation in January 2024 when he made his Dakar Rally debut in Saudi Arabia. The Austrian dominated the “Original by Motul” class, formerly known as “Malle Moto”, and won by over two hours.
In this category, riders are on their own, maintaining their own motorcycles and with no support from a team in the background. Ebster finished 20th overall and was the best rookie in the entire motorcycle field.
At the end of February, he competed in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. “Unfortunately, the race didn’t go as planned,” reports Ebster. “I crashed on the fourth stage due to a technical problem. That put me out of action for several weeks.”
After that, the Hellas Rally in Greece was scheduled for the end of May and beginning of June. “I injured myself again there. As a result of these experiences, I rethought my program and intensified my training,” said the Austrian.
There was a break from rallying over the summer. It was only at the beginning of October that Ebster competed in the Morocco Rally. What has changed is that he now rides a KTM 450 Rally for the large BAS rally team and is therefore in a professional environment.
“The Morocco Rally was a great success and excellent training. There were no mistakes in navigation and no crashes.“ Ebster came in eleventh overall, just over an hour behind winner Daniel Sanders (KTM).
”My training is mainly focused on motocross, because that’s what I love doing most. It’s also an excellent addition to my rally preparation. I’ve also added mental preparation to my training.”
He also did navigation training in the US last fall. In January, as in the previous year, Ebster’s KTM will bear the starting number 96, the year his older sister was born. He is one of nine riders on the BAS-KTM team. He will compete in the field of Rally2 riders.
“My goals for 2025 are clear,” says the 27-year-old, looking ahead to his second Dakar start. ”I’m aiming for a podium finish in Rally2 and a place in the top 15 overall.”
Ebster is the only Austrian participant in the regular categories. At the age of 80, Peter Brabeck-Letmathe is taking part in the Dakar Classic in a 1999 Mitsubishi Pajero. His sons Andres and Nicolas Brabeck-Letmathe are driving the second Pajero.
