Chinese manufacturer Kove lines up for Dakar
Words and images courtesy Kove
The 2025 Dakar will mark the third Dakar for Chinese manufacturer Kove.
The 47th Dakar will be held in Saudi Arabia from January 3-17. 2025 and is the sixth time the rally has been hosted in Saudi Arabia.
The rally, considered the most arduous motorcycling competition, lasts for 15 days, covering a total of 12 stages.
Kove Moto participated in the rally for the first time in 2023, with the goal of simply finishing the competition. They achieved this goal.
This year, Kove launched its new racing motorcycle, the 450Rally EX, equipped with in-house engine.
Its performance was impressive enough to earn them third place in SS1 and fifth place in SS5.
But the rally also revealed numerous issues. Kove said that, as this was a new bike, these issues were to be expected.
Uncovering these issues is exactly what Kove aimed for.
Kove say they resolved all technical problems of 450Rally EX found in Dakar.
They then put the bike to the test at high intensity by different kinds of races, including Taklimakan Rally and Baja Aragon.
So, for the 2025 Dakar and the 2025 season, Kove say the status of the bike and crew member are in good condition. They are going all out to race.
Kove is well represented with 12 riders from ten countries, including;
- China
- United Kingdom
- France
- United States of America
- Italy
- Spain
- Canada
- India
- The United Arab Emirates
- Saudi Arabia
The Official Kove ‘factory’ team consists of two riders: Frenchman Neels Theric (Dakar Rally 2023, 18th overall; Taklimakan Rally 2023, 4th overall; and winner of the Taklimakan Rally 2024), plus late signing Mason Klein from America (Sonora Rally 2021 5th overall; Rallye Du Maroc 2021 winner Rally 2 class; 2022 Dakar 9th overall and rookie winner).
“Working with the Spanish Kove guys has been the most important thing,” said 23-year old Klein. “They’ve been helping me do all the bike development and testing the engine. It’s pretty confidence-inspiring. It’s the best bike I’ve ever rode, so I’m pretty stoked about that. It has a completely different engine, a different frame, everything. It’s my bike again, and it will be built the right way for Dakar. There are still little things we’re trying to figure out, but the base is really good.
Klein’s Dakar 2024 was an absolute rollercoaster. Entered as a privateer on a new Kove, Mason only received his bike on the morning of scrutineering due to a hold-up at customs. He opened brilliantly on Stage 1, finishing third. However, a host of mechanical issues forced him to retire in the Empty Quarter.
“This year I’ve been racing with Honda in Brazil. I did the rally championship out there and ended up second. It was pretty tough for me because it’s a completely different sport. The type of racing and terrain is very different out there, it’s like Spain. I wanted to do it to improve my all-round riding. I wanted to get better with line choice and drifting, and I’d say I’m even better at navigation now. I’m excited. I just want to ride all the days at Dakar 2025, and I want to ride fast. If I had to take things easy, I guess I’d be ok with the Top 10. But to be honest, if I’m not up there fighting for a podium, I’ll be pretty upset.
“This bike has the potential to win. To win you still need some luck, I realise that now. If not this year, then next year it will be the bike to race on. I’ve ridden a factory KTM so I know what a top bike should feel like, and I see the Kove many steps ahead.”
There’s also a ‘satellite team (also factory-supported) consisting of two Chinese riders who both have solid rally experience: Sunier (Dakar Rally 2023, 46th; Taklimakan Rally 2023, 18th; and Rallye du Maroc 2023, 32rd) and Deng Liansong (Dakar Rally 2023, 67th; Taklimakan Rally 2023, 9th; and Taklimakan Rally 2024, 8th).
Plus, there are another eight Kove-mounted privateers from seven different countries including Javi Vega, who is an ambassador for Kove Spain. He made an impressive debut with a victory at the Rally of Tunisia and the UK’s James Hillier.
Javi Vega has consistently excelled in the Dakar’s ‘Original by Motul’ category, where riders must rely solely on themselves and their machines. In 2023, he narrowly missed the title, finishing 2nd in the category and 30th overall.
Due to regulations excluding top-30 finishers from the Original by Motul ranking in subsequent years, he couldn’t compete for the title in 2024. Despite mechanical setbacks in SS6, his determination never wavered: “In the Dakar Rally, everyone encounters problems. The key is solving them.” For 2025, Javi returns with a new weapon—the Kove 450RALLY EX. His goal? To reclaim his place in the Original by Motul rankings and achieve his dream of becoming champion.
Long-time Isle of Man TT competitor James Hillier made his rally-raid debut at the Andalucia Rally 2021 (15th). He then did the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2022 (20th). Dakar 2023 was only his third rally, and Dakar 2025 will be his fifth.
Throughout this year, James honed his skills in endurance races like the ISDE. He rode the WTF Racing Kove 450RALLY EX to prepare for his return to Dakar.
He said: “I’m coming to Dakar 2025 with a team, the same guys who look after me on the TT. On paper, the team name stands for ‘We’re The Future’, because we’ve been offsetting a lot of our carbon. It will be a new experience for all of us. Dakar 2023 in the Original by Motul class, was about survival, especially with all the rain that year. I joke with my wife that it was a bit like labour; the body naturally erases trauma from the memory bank!
“It was surprising at this year’s TT how many people are into the Dakar and asked about it. I would do Original again, but I’d like to get some other guys involved, share the experience with friends. I’ll be on a Kove this year after riding a GasGas in 2023.
“Earlier this year I did the International Six Days Enduro on a Kove. I made it to the finish and so did the bike, which was a good confidence booster. I also did the Qatar International Baja, my first rally since Dakar 2023, so I could practise navigation. I can’t say this Dakar will be ‘easier’ because there’s nothing easy about it! But hopefully it will be a bit less demanding, and I can enjoy it a bit more. It will be quite nice to share it with the team, and to have a bed in the truck with a decent pillow. It should be slightly more enjoyable and I can put more energy into just riding the motorbike.
“Finishing is the priority. Last time I was going quite conservatively to save energy and give myself a bit of a cushion. The biggest thing is just to keep the wheels turning and look after the bike. At the TT there’s pressure on me to perform, but I’m never going to win the Dakar so there’s no real pressure.”
Kove’s Motorally Championship title
As well as chasing success in the 2025 Dakar Rally, it’s worth noting that Kove Moto celebrated a historic milestone this year. They achieved victory in the 2024 European Motorally Championship, marking the first official FIM title for the manufacturer.
The achievement was sealed by Matteo Bottino, who dominated the competition riding the exceptional Kove 450 Rally. The bike was designed to excel in the toughest conditions.
Despite the demanding competition, Bottino showcased outstanding skill and synergy with the Kove 450 Rally. He secured crucial stage wins and cemented his lead at the top of the standings.
The bike’s reliability and performance stood out throughout the season. It embodied the core values of Kove Moto: innovation, precision, and passion.
“We are proud of this extraordinary achievement,” said Wang Yan, Racing Manager at Kove Moto. “This title is not just a milestone for our rider but also a testament to the capabilities of our technical team. The Kove 450 Rally has proven itself as a world-class competitor in the most demanding events.”
Bottino expressed his excitement: “Winning the 2024 European Motorally Championship with Kove is an indescribable feeling. The 450 Rally proved to be a perfect partner, capable of overcoming every challenge with determination. I’m grateful to the entire team for their support and trust.”
This victory marks Kove Moto’s official entry among the top names in international competitions.
With its first FIM title now in the books, the brand looks forward to new achievements both on the track and in the global market.
The Kove 450 Rally, developed to excel in the most challenging competitions, symbolizes the company’s mission. They aim to create cutting-edge motorcycles for the most demanding riders.
Kove Moto 2024 success
- January: Dakar 2024. Kove doubles down with six riders.
- March: Rally of Tunisia. Victory by Javi Vega.
- May: Rally Taklimakan. Victory by Neels Theric.
- November: Rally Addax. Victory by Javi Vega.
- Matteo Bottino, 2024 European Motorally Champion
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