Finke 2025: Preparations underway as Madi Healey looks to reclaim top spot this year

Weeks out from the return of an iconic Red Centre race, last year’s Queen of the Desert is already out on the track – and she’s got a number of goals in mind. Read how preparations are going.

Madi Healey, the 2024 Finke Queen of the Desert. Picture: Gera Kazakov

Back to back titles is the aim for the current Finke Queen of the Desert, who’s already tackling the track with an aim to match this year’s top male riders.

Madi Healey, who was the first woman across the line in last year’s Finke Desert Race, is hoping to make it two in a row as she prepares for this year’s iteration of the iconic desert race.

“I had a great year last year, it was probably the funniest race I’ve ever done, so coming in for this year, I’m very excited – I can’t wait to get out there,” she said.

Coming all the way from Shepparton, Victoria, Healy is pre-running the track, which starts south of Alice Springs and ends in Finke (Aputula) from June 6-9.

Riders tackling the 2024 Tatts Finke Desert Race. Picture: Gera Kazakov

With a 226km distance to cover, Healey said she’ll be running upgraded suspension this year, and racing on KTM instead of a GasGas – the bike she won last year’s title on.

Pre-running for the last three weeks now, with her dad and partner supporting her, Ms Healey said the track’s currently “rough”.

“But, you know, the track’s completely different on race day, so I’m kind of just taking it as it comes,” she said.

“The track knowledge is the biggest thing, just to see how the terrain is and where it changes and the different corners and stuff like that and where it gets roughest.

“I did it last year and then this year I can really give it a hot crack and I sort of know where everything is now.”

Healy said she’s hopeful she can take the coveted Queen of the Desert title for the second year in a row, while also improving her time.

Coming back into Alice a single day time of 2.30.31 (five hours there and back), her biggest goal is “just to improve my last year times”.

“And then obviously I want to do a lot better,” she said.

Meanwhile, in the men’s there will be plenty of focus on hometown hero and reigning King of the Desert David Walsh as he aims to become the first to win six consecutive titles.

Reigning cars champion Beau Robinson will defend his own crown with what is shaping to be a strong field including his brother Travis Robinson, Brent Smoothy and Billy Geddes.

An added incentive for those taking a spot in the bike category this year is all 2025 competitors who start the prologue will receive guaranteed entry into next year’s 50th anniversary race.

Finke forms part of a huge year for motorsports action in the NT with the Supercars coming up on June 20-22, Red CentreNATS on September 5-7 and the Motorcross World Championship from September 19-21.