Alice Springs legend David Walsh has made a masterful return to the Tatts Finke Desert Race, claimed top honours at the 50th edition of the iconic event.
Walsh now joins Toby Price as a six-time King of the Desert in the motorcycle category, while it was Honda’s first victory at Finke since Todd Smith in 2013.
Walsh’s Finke return after coming of retirement followed a similar blast-from-the-blocks strategy to his past triumphs. He rode out of his skin on the 226km trek to Apatula (Finke), and then kept his powder dry on the return to Alice Springs to wrap up his sixth title with plenty to spare.
Walsh finished the race just over six minutes ahead of Campbell Hall (KTM), who backed up from his runner-up finish in 2025, while Liam Walsh (KTM) – David’s cousin – came home strong to finish third. Liam was also returning to Finke action in 2026 after sitting out 2025 with injury.
Siblings Kodi Stephens and Levi Stephens (both KTM) were fourth and fifth.
“It’s been a crazy weekend, and I am just really happy to get home in one piece and get to see my beautiful family,” said David Walsh.
“The result is a testament to all the work that has gone in behind the scenes. It’s an incredible bike and everything about it has been wicked.
“To my wife and kids, thank you. I know you probably thought I was done and, honestly, I thought I was, but this team, this vision, it was too good not to be a part of it.
“The question now is: what’s next? I might even race later this year. For now, I am going to enjoy this with friends, family and the team.”
Meanwhile, after winning the prologue and then hanging tough with teammate David Walsh over the first three checkpoints on day one, disaster struck for defending champion Corey Hammond. First it was a flat tyre, and then his chain broke just a couple of kilometres from Apatula – but the 24-year-old refused to wave the white flag, mustering all his strength to push the Honda across the finish line.
Hammond finished 18th overall after improving 15 positions on day two, while it was another tough Finke for two-time runner Callum Norton (Ducati). He crashed heavily in the prologue, which effectively dented all hopes of a podium in 2026.
Brodie Waters (Honda) was sixth outright from Ivan Long (Husqvarna), Mitchell Outram (KTM), Wil Ashby (KTM) and Jack Colbert (Husqvarna), while Madison Healey (KTM) was the only rider to successfully defend a class victory from 2025.
And it was emphatic, too, with Healey winning the women’s class by nearly 27 minutes.
The other class winners were:
- 251cc and above two-stroke: Liam Dinnage (KTM)
- 451cc and above four-stroke: Campbell Hall (KTM)
- Up to 250cc two-stroke: Jayden O’Connor (KTM)
- Up to 250cc four-stroke: Jesse Ryan (GASGAS)
- 251-450cc four-stroke: David Walsh (Honda)
- Masters (35-44yrs): Ivan Long (Husqvarna)
- Seniors (45-54yrs): Brett Rae (KTM)
- Veterans (55yrs and over): William Willis (Husaberg)
For full motorcycle results in the 2026 Tatts Finke Desert Race, click here.