KOVE wrapped up their campaign at the China Da Hai Dao International Rally (DHD Rally) 2026 with a broad smile. Their lead rider, Neels Theric, emerged victorious after a week of fierce battles in the Xinjiang desert, held from 4-11 September 2026. Theric didn't just win; he also took three stage victories out of six special stages.
For KOVE, this is more than a trophy. It's proof that their rally raid project is maturing. The KOVE 450 Rally ridden by Theric conquered the harsh terrain of Xinjiang, while answering questions about durability. Theric faced minor issues early on, but he and the team turned things around to win the decisive final stage.
Three Stage Wins and a Fierce Fight
From the very first special stage, KOVE showed their teeth. Milan Engel and Neels Theric finished second and third respectively on SS1. Theric then claimed victory on day two and kept his rhythm at the front. With three stage wins in total, he arrived at the final stage with the overall victory still within reach.
“I'm very happy for my team, for KOVE, for all the people who work hard on the rally raid project, and of course for myself. We had some small problems at the beginning of the rally, but we managed to turn it around. I won three of the six stages, we never gave up and everything was decided on the last special,” said Theric in a social media post.
Theric also highlighted the intense battle with Martin Michek, his KOVE teammate, which kept the competition red-hot. For him, DHD Rally was important preparation for the rest of the season.
Two KOVE 450 Rally Bikes on the Podium
Theric's success was not a solo effort. Milan Engel finished third, placing two KOVE 450 Rally machines on the overall podium. KOVE's dominance extended further: a total of 19 participants chose bikes from the KOVE 450 Rally family for the 2026 DHD Rally. That number underlines KOVE's growing presence in international rally raid.
The Xinjiang desert provided the perfect testing ground. Around 2,500 kilometres had to be covered, with 1,300 km of special stages. These extreme conditions tested the performance and reliability of the KOVE 450 Rally, while providing valuable data for future development.
After the win in China, KOVE's next challenge is the Rallye du Maroc, from 26 September to 3 October 2026. That event will be another test for the KOVE 450 Rally, which certainly doesn't want to stop at one title.
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