Hammond wins brutal 2025 Finke Desert Race

Corey Hammond is the new King of the Desert after claiming the 2025 Finke Desert Race title in Alice Springs ahead of Campbell Hall and Brodie Waters.

Hailing from New South Wales, Hammond completed the gruelling two-day race in an overall time of 3 hours and 46 minutes aboard his KTM 500 EXC-F.

His victory comes after reigning five-time champ David Walsh called time on his career in the weeks leading up to the race. Walsh won his first title in 2019, succeeding Toby Price as the King of the Desert.

Pre-race favourite and prologue winner Callum Norton started strong from pole position, but arrived fourth into Finke after being passed by Hammond, Waters, and Hall. The KTM-backed Victorian rider later withdrew, citing illness and severe fatigue, gifting Hammond a healthy lead for the second leg back to Alice Springs. 

Norton’s withdrawal meant Hammond was able to control the pace to the finish line and avoid taking any big risks. Still, of the top three, he was quickest through each sector on the return leg and cruised to strong 11-minute win. 

Honda pilot Waters left Finke in second place, but a crash sent him over the bars and left him battered and bruised, allowing KTM-mounted Hall to overtake him. Waters remounted and rallied for third place ahead of Mitchell Outram and Kodi Stephens, giving Honda its first podium since 2014. 

Madi Healey crowned Queen of the Desert, finishing an impressive 53rd overall and first in the Women's class ahead of Chloe Barton and Bronnie Chapman.

Former two-time winner Rick Hall made a surprise appearance, finishing 76th outright, while his mate and AFL legend Tony Lockett also crossed the finish line.

Only 328 riders completed the race, with many competitors speaking of brutal track conditions. There were at least 52 DNF's in the bike category, with the ABC reporting that 43 people were treated at Alice Springs Hospital in connection with the race. It didn't specify whether that number also included car competitors, officials, and spectators.

While not technically factory-backed, the STE Racing outfit of Norton and Liam Walsh was acting as the “official” KTM team for 2025. But with Walsh injuring himself pre-race and Norton not finishing, it was a tough weekend for the orange brigade. KTM models still accounted for 15 of the top 20 places, including two GASGAS bikes, while Honda, Yamaha, and Sherco made up the remaining spots.

Norton’s DNF also means Victoria is still without a Finke win after 49 editions of the classic desert race. As the old saying goes, the desert decides who wins.

The 2026 edition will mark the 50th running of the event, with a strong demand for entries expected.