PREVIEW: Who will win the 2021 Finke Desert Race?

There is an old adage at the Finke Desert Race that says ‘the Desert decides who wins’, and that makes picking a winner for the 2021 edition incredibly tough.

After two years in the wilderness, the famed desert race is ready to light up Alice Springs once again, and while six-time champion Toby Price has swapped two wheels for four, there is still an impressive cast of competitors looking to take the title.

Reigning champ David Walsh is back to defend his King of the Desert crown, with Todd Smith, Ben Grabham and Darren Griffiths the only other former winners in the field. Don’t be fooled though – there is a gang of incredibly fast young guns nipping at Walsh’s heels. We’re in for a cracker of a race.

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Here are the main players to watch in the 2021 Finke Desert Race:

It’s hard to look past the reigning King of the Desert. David Walsh won the 2019 race after years of second-places and DNFs. He was also the first born-and-bred local to win the race since Ryan Branford in 2006. His social media activity is not as prolific as some of his rivals, but he has posted a few eye-opening clips that suggest he will be as fast as ever. He has local knowledge and the might of the KTM factory team behind him – both which count for a lot at Finke. Will be hard to beat.

No Victorian rider has ever won Finke, but Jack Simpson could be the first. Simpson has three top-20 finishes, including a podium in 2018. Stepping up to a Husqvarna FE 501, the former motocrosser will be hoping the extra capacity takes him to the top step. Interestingly, Simpson is one of only two Victorian riders to ever finish on the podium at Finke. The other, Mark Sladek, hails from the same area as Simpson and used to spin spanners for him. Simpson is looking fast, if his social media is anything to go by. But does he have the speed to beat Walsh?

Another fast Victorian with podium potential. Callum Norton was third to Finke in 2018 before a mechanical issue stopped him on the return leg. He returned in 2019 for a 5th place finish. Like Simpson, Norton has significant motocross experience – an attribute that usually serves well in the desert. The 20-year-old had a knee reconstruction in 2020, but has recovered well and recently took out the Triggs Enduro in Victoria. Norton counts Toby Price as a sporting idol and his physical makeup and riding style even bears similarities to the six-time champ. Absolutely one to watch.

Hailing from Newcastle, Beau Ralston has long been a top performer in Australian off-road racing. But you could argue he is yet to be truly rewarded for his efforts. With multiple top-20 finishes at Finke, including 3rd in 2019, Ralston has the ability and the speed to mix it with the best. He’ll be piloting a KTM 500 EXC-F in 2021 and will look to improve on his 2019 result.

One of four former champions in the field, Condobolin’s Todd Smith is no stranger to Finke. Formally a long-time member of the GHR Honda team, Smith’s victory came in 2013. He is one of only two non-KTM riders (the other being the late Daymon Stokie) to win the race since 2009. Smith’s last appearance was in 2017 when he finished 7th. In 2021, he’ll make his return to the race aboard a Husqvarna FE 501. Definitely a chance for a top-10 finish.

Todd’s brother Jacob Smith finished second in 2019 aboard his Husqvarna FE 501. That result came after DNFs in ’16, ’17, and ’18. The Smith brothers could now be considered veterans at Finke, but they are still very fast. They each have decorated careers that include Condo 750 victories, Australasian Safari victories, and Dakar appearances. Jacob will arguably be the faster of the two when age and recent experience is taken into account. A podium finish, or even a win, is not out of the question.

Aside from Toby Price and Randall Gregory, there is arguably no one more accomplished on the Finke track than Ben Grabham. Grabbo won the race twice on a Honda before making a radical switch to KTM where he won a further two titles. If it wasn’t for the astronomical rise of Price, he probably would have won several more times. Grabbo makes his return to the Finke track in 2021 after several years on the sidelines. Piloting a Sherco 300 SEF two-stroke, he will struggle to match the speed and power of the big bikes, but it’s impossible to write him off. A top-20 finish is certainly a possibility.

Jack Dooley McDonnell – A local and former fan-favourite with multiple top-20 finishes, including fifth in 2015. Made his return in 2019 after a few years on the sidelines, but failed to finish. A definite top-20 chance.

Nathan Trigg – Riding a Sherco 450 SEF-R, Trigg has a few top-20 finishes to his name, but a DNF in 2019 will leave him more determined than ever. A podium is not a stretch.

Danielle Foot – Victoria’s Dani Foot was 57th outright, 3rd in class, and first female home in 2019. Piloting a Husqvarna TC 250, Foot will be one of the fastest girls on the track, and will look to claim a podium spot in the 250cc 2T class.

Kent Collins – An impressive fourth place in 2018 proves this South Australian has what it takes to mix it with the front runners. Scored a DNF in 2019, but will be very fast once again in 2021.

Two-time Dakar winner, Toby Price, is injured but will still take to the Finke track on four wheels. He appears to have invested a lot into his trophy truck for 2021, and could become the first ever Finke winner in both cars and bikes. Meanwhile, Daniel ‘Chucky’ Sanders was all set to make his Finke debut in 2021, but is instead overseas preparing for his first race with the factory GasGas rally team. His impressive fourth place at Dakar earlier this year has forced him to focus on rally racing.