Edgar Canet steps into KTM Racing for Dakar 2025 in Rally 2 category with Nani Roma and Heinz Kinigadner heralding the promising talent of the 19-year-old Spanish rider.

Edgar Canet has come a long way since being crowned Spanish MX85 champion in 2019. Literally the 19-year-old saw new horizons at the 2023 1000 Dunas Rally, his first take on the desert that marked the beginning of his transition to the world of rally-raid.

In his first demanding events in the World Rally-Raid Championship in Morocco and the Ruta 40 Challenge, Edgar achieved podiums that signalled his reputation as a rising star.

KTM has recognised that talent and handed the youngster, who can count on the backing of Heinz Kinigadner and Nani Roman no less, with an official berth as a supported rider alongside the official Red Bull KTM Rally boys Kevin Benavides and Daniel Sanders.

Enduro21 catches five minutes with Canet as he makes final preparations for the biggest race of his life.

Enduro21: Today marks the end of a journey in motocross and the beginning of an exciting future in rally-raid.

Edgar Canet: “Exactly. In 2024 I decided not to continue racing motocross because a new adventure was beginning: competing in the Dakar. Throughout 2024 I have been preparing by racing in Morocco, Argentina, Baja Aragón and Tunisia. These are races that have prepared me a lot and have given me the opportunity to compete in the Dakar 2025.”

It was the 1000 Dunas which marked a “before and after” in your career?

“Yes, yes. I was a motocross rider who tried rally, and now I am a raid rider who also does motocross. I am very happy with everything I have achieved in motocross, everything I learned and the speed I have thanks to it. It is a plus in this world of rally-raids.”

What attracted you to desert racing that you made the jump to it so young?

“I have always followed this discipline from home, watching riders like Nani Roma or Joan Barreda. It is a race that always caught my attention. When I turned 18 and got my driving license, I decided to race in Morocco to see if I really liked it or if it was just a childhood passion. When I returned from Morocco, I decided to talk to my father and tell him that I wanted to orient my career towards raids. From there we started to prepare.”

What has been the most difficult thing for you: navigation, pace...?

“The most difficult thing is controlling the desire to go faster than necessary. In motocross I was used to going as fast as possible all the time, but here there are many moments when it is not about going fast, but about being focused on the dangers and navigation. It’s something I’m still learning, but I think that this year, with the help of Jordi Viladoms and all the training, I have improved a lot.”

Experience says the most important thing in the first year of Dakar is to finish and enjoy the experience without pressure...

“Exactly, the objective of this first year is to learn and complete the race, to do as many kilometres as possible and, above all, to cross the finish line.”

Tell us about the structure and the team to face this challenge.

“I am now a junior rider for KTM Racing. I am under the structure of the KTM factory team and I am very grateful for all their support. I am very happy because it is the brand with which I have competed all my life and that helps me to make this great leap to the Dakar.”

The youngest rider in the 2025 Dakar. Do you feel responsibility?

“I think I am very prepared. I know I am 19 years old, but I also have very clear ideas and goals. My goal this year is to learn and take my career in peace.”

Thank you for your time and good luck in your first Dakar, enjoy it.