The Greece Rally 2025 has officially begun in Serres, welcoming 160 riders from around the world to one of Europe’s most challenging rally raid events.
The opening day featured a prologue stage, designed to get competitors familiar with the terrain before the action intensified. SS1 took riders through Ag. Giorgis, Rachovitsa, and Eleonas, delivering a mix of fast tracks and demanding navigation.
This year marks a return to Serres after seven years, bringing back the unique character of the region to the international rally calendar. With riders from diverse countries and backgrounds, the event promises thrilling competition and unforgettable scenery throughout the week.
The Greece Rally 2025 spans seven days, 1500kms with challenging stages set to push both machines and riders to their limits. The event officially began with a ceremonial start in the heart of Serres, where a massive crowd gathered to welcome the competitors and set the tone for an unforgettable week of rally action..
Day 2 of the Greece Rally took riders on a 256 km route through the Lailias forests and the Agistro mountains, combining flowing woodland trails with steep rocky climbs and exposed ridgelines. The stage demanded both speed and precision, with dense beech and pine tracks limiting visibility before opening into rugged, technical mountain terrain.
At the finish, #142 Stefan Svitko (SLO) claimed first, showcasing his trademark pace and consistency. Local rider #60 Giannis Sevastopoulos (GRE) impressed by securing second place, while #1 Roberto Barbieri (ITA) rode strongly to finish third.
The mix of fast forest sections and rocky mountain terrain made Day 2 a decisive challenge, highlighting the skill and endurance required to master the Greece Rally
Day 3 of the Greece Rally marked the start of the highly anticipated 200 km marathon stage, a true test of endurance and navigation as riders left Serres and crossed into Bulgaria. Competitors were required to preserve both bike and body for the return leg on Day 4.
The route challenged the field with a spectacular mix of mountain passes, rocky climbs, and fast gravel tracks, taking riders through the rugged Belasitsa mountain range and into Topoinitsa, Orgazden, and Petrich. The diverse terrain combined steep forest trails, technical ascents, and open valleys, demanding total focus from start to finish.
At the front of the pack, #142 Svitko Stefan (SVK) delivered a commanding performance to secure the stage victory. Close behind, #1 Roberto Barbieri (ITA) showed consistency and speed to take second, while #355 Dovland Hans Kristian (NOR) completed the podium with an impressive ride through the demanding Bulgarian landscape.
The riders will spend the night in Belasitsa, resting before tackling the return leg to Serres on Day 4, where the marathon stage will be decided.
Day 4 of the rally marked the competitors’ return to Greece, with a challenging route from Bulgaria back to Serres, crossing the demanding terrain of Slavianka. The stage tested endurance, navigation, and consistency as riders faced rugged trails and shifting conditions.
After a tense day on the course, #142 Svitko Stefan (SVK) took the stage victory, delivering a strong performance and showcasing his pace and resilience across the border-crossing stage.
In second place, #306 Bucko Norbert (SBK) put in an impressive effort, keeping close pressure on the leader throughout the route.
Completing the podium, #1 Barbieri Roberto (ITA) secured third place, maintaining his strong overall standing and confirming his status as one of the rally’s most consistent performers.
With the rally now firmly back on Greek soil, the competition tightens as riders prepare for the final stages toward Serres.
Day 5 of the Greece Rally began with a demanding 60 km liaison of rocky climbs, followed by a challenging 20 km special stage through the Bosdakas crossing — a dramatic, almost lunar-like terrain known for its rocky creek beds, craters, rolling stones, and narrow gullies. Riders had to cope not only with enduro-level demands but also with tricky navigation, choosing careful lines across open ridges, through water-carved ruts, and over slippery ground.
Bikes
Stage victory went to #306 Bucko Norbert (SVK), who dominated the crossing with a fast, controlled pace. #142 Svitko Stefan (SVK) followed steady and smooth to secure second place, while #304 Pavelka Stanislav (CZE) showed determination and resilience to finish third.
A standout performance came from #6 Vasilis Boudros (BMW), who, riding the heaviest motorcycle, delivered an excellent result as the top Greek finisher, also moving into the lead of the Greek overall classification. He was followed by #60 Giannis Sevastopoulos (Yamaha) and #10 Giorgos Stogiannos.
SSV
In the Side-by-Side category, victory went to #89 Jan van Gerven / Rudolf Meijer, who handled the tough terrain with great skill. #833 Andre Thewessen / Mayk Thewessen finished second, while #88 Jasper Versteijnen / Jelle Van Limpt completed the podium in third.
The Bosdakas crossing once again highlighted the Greece Rally’s reputation for combining endurance with pure enduro skill, with competitors across all categories praising the variety and difficulty of the stage.
The sixth day of the Greece Rally included a demanding 360-kilometer special stage that started from Nigrita, crossed the Kerdylia mountains, reached Halkidiki and the Macedonian Tempi, and returned to Serres. In the afternoon, a second special stage led to Sidirokastro, where the municipality hosted catering for all competitors before their return to Serres. The route was fast and fun, through dense forests and open dirt roads, combining steep ascents and descents, sandy riverbeds, and thick vegetation.
Motorcycles
The day’s victory went to #142 Stefan Svitko (Slovakia) with a KTM 450, showcasing his experience and speed. Second place was taken by #302 Norbert Buko (Slovakia), also with a KTM 450, while #1 Roberto Barbieri (Italy) with a Husqvarna FE 501 secured third.
Among the Greek riders, first place went to #60 Yiannis Sevastopoulos (Yamaha Tenere), followed by #64 Joseph Boutsaxis (HU Aurora Rally 901), with #39 Vasilis Stogiannos (Fantic XER4 Rally) taking third. Misfortune struck leader Vasilis Boudros, who lost his front brake after hitting a rock and was forced to abandon the stage.
SSV (Side-by-Side)
In the Side-by-Side category, first place was claimed by #88 Jasper Versteijnen / Jelle van Libt (Netherlands) with a Can-Am Maverick X3. Second went to #89 Jan van Herven / Rudolf Meier (Netherlands) with a Can-Am Maverick R, while #87 Kis Box / Kis Box Jr. (Netherlands) secured third with a Can-Am Maverick X3.
The 6th day of the race proved to be a true test of endurance, navigation, and mechanical reliability, with the specials in Halkidiki and Sidirokastro standing out as two of the most beautiful so far.
The seventh and final day of the Greece Rally featured a 192-kilometer stage that crossed the Kroussia and the Vertiskos mountains. The demanding route, both fast and technical, combined quick sections, long climbs, and forest tracks, testing riders and machines one last time before the finish in Serres.
Motorcycles
The stage victory went to #142 Stefan Svitko (Slovakia) with a KTM 450, who once again proved his dominance throughout the race, claiming his 6th Greece Rally victory! Second place went to #1 Roberto Barbieri (Italy) with a Husqvarna FE 501, a three-time winner of the Greece Rally, while #355 Hans Kristian Dovland (Norway) with a KTM 450 completed the podium.
Among the Greek riders, the fastest was #60 Giannis Sevastopoulos (Yamaha Tenere), followed by #61 Gerasimos Gkogkas (KTM 450) in second place, with #39 Vasilis Stogiannos (Fantic XEF 450 Rally) taking third.
SSV (Side-by-Side)
In the Side-by-Side category, victory went to #87 Kees Box / Kees Box Jr. (Netherlands) with a Can-Am Maverick X3. #88 Jasper Versteijnen / Jelle van Limpt (Netherlands) secured second place with a Can-Am Maverick X3, while #89 Jan van Gerven / Rudolf Meijer (Netherlands) finished third with a Can-Am Maverick R.
The final day of the Greece Rally concluded an unforgettable week of racing action, showcasing international talent as well as the strength of local riders across the mountains and trails of Northern Greece.
GREECE RALLY 2025 EDITION PHOTO GALLERY
GREECE RALLY 2025 RESULTS
OVERALL CLASSIFICATION by Class
