The Baja 1000 looked like it would be a weird one when Bryan Brown started going the wrong way just past 2 AM. Indeed, while the final result was not much different from the other three SCORE races in 2025, hijinks were aplenty.

Tyler Lynn and the #7X had dominated the season but defending Pro Moto Unlimited champion Arturo Salas’ #1X was right behind. The two bikes finished 1–2 at the San Felipe 250, Baja 500, and Baja 400, all with Lynn ahead each time. Even then, Salas being right behind meant he trailed Lynn by 18 points and still had a very slim outside shot. Of course, winning the 1000 was just as big of a priority for HERO Racing.

Although Salas, Shane Logan, and Ciaran Naran tried to keep up, they had little answer for the SLR Honda trio of Lynn, David Kamo, and ex-HERO rider Carter Klein. Lynn led the way and grew the lead on his rival to over 20 minutes during his stint before trading off with Kamo. The #1X’s hopes ran as dry as their gas tank at RM 688.2, ending their chances.

Klein brought the bike back to the timed finish at Rancho Nelson (originally supposed to be at the Ensenada Wash but was moved to the ranch because of rain, shortened the course from 854 miles to 835.52), beating the #1X by over two hours. It was the seventh Baja 1000 triumph for Mark Samuels’ team and second in a row.

“Everything was very smooth this year. A little bit of rain, but nothing too bad,” Samuels commented. “In the past, Justin Morgan and I had some great success, and last year was the first time with the younger, up-and-coming guys. That was a big learning year for them and the team, and this time, it was really special to see them put it all together and dominate. They did an awesome job, and I think they’re in a good place to have more success.”

Interestingly, third overall was a Sportsman Moto entry as Arnaldo Casteneda and his team placed third. Sportsman riders ran a shorter course that was 720.95 miles long compared to the 835.52 km of the Pro categories, but SCORE’s current timing and scoring system groups them together. Sportsman Quad winner Gabriel Vazquez was also the second Moto team to complete the race as a whole after the #7X.

While the #7X and #1X Hondas dominated all season, Eric Holt’s #15X was usually right behind on his Husqvarna. While he placed third in Unlimited again, he had to claw out of an early hole caused by a broken fuel pump after 38.4 miles and two crashes. At one point, the #15X had to race through the dark with only the helmet light since those on the bike went out.

Some riders complained of contaminated fuel at one of the pits, which forced some teams like Willy Watts’ #422X to bow out; Watts tried to replace the pump and fuel injector while getting fresh gas from his team, but had to retire by the end. Others felt what they got worked just fine.

Public bike interest particularly honed in on the 1980 Honda XLS 125 of Greg Gilson. Riding what was by far the oldest motorcycle (and perhaps vehicle in general) in the field, the rally raid and enduro veteran had been treated with skepticism from the moment he declared his intent to race. After all, many have dared to challenge Baja on unusual machinery to little success. To make things even tougher, the Frenchman entered as an ironman rider.

In the end, the doubters were proven right but also his biggest fans. After taking the start half an hour past midnight, Gilson was generally going strong for the first half of the race. As it progressed, however, things gradually unraveled.

Issues with the air filter forced him to stop throughout the day, costing him over an hour. Post-nightfall, Gilson fell as he neared the 500-mile mark. A carburetor issue led to an hour and 15 minutes off the bike for repairs. With not enough time to finish within the 36-hour limit, he decided to retire at RM 489.6.

Although a heartbreaking end, completing over half of the world’s toughest desert race still earned him commendation from SCORE and the desert world. Of course, Gilson plans to come back in 2026.

“I want (to) definitely try again next year because I know it’s possible,” Gilson said. “Some adjustments to be more reliable, and also setting my light because it was horrible at the beginning with the dust.”

Gilson wasn’t the only old-school rider in the race. Fellow ironman and Baja newcomer Yoann Taplin signed up with a 1996 Honda XR600, a more powerful bike that won the 1000 four times in the 1980s and ’90s.

Alas, he was also forced to bow out after 603 miles and 24 hours. Taplin quipped afterward that he “might take a bike with an electric starter next time”.

While the classic bikes couldn’t make it to the end, Larry Serna and his modern Honda CRF450RX did to win Pro Moto Ironman by 40 minutes over Erick Estrada. Combined with his class victories in San Felipe and the 500, he also secured the class title.

“My younger self would be so damn proud of me. I still can’t believe it,” wrote Serna. “I actually freaking did it. I accomplished something that once felt impossible. I won the Baja 1000 riding solo. 25 hours and 41 minutes of pure battle, pain, doubt, and heart… and I crossed that finish line with zero penalties. And to top it off, I’m the 2025 SCORE International World Desert Champion in the Pro Moto Ironman class.

“That still feels unreal to even say. I know my poppa is up there watching, smiling, bragging about me the way he always would. I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for my sponsors, my family, my other half, and every single friend who pushed me, supported me, believed in me when I got tired or scared or beat down. I’m blessed beyond words… and I’ll carry this amazing feeling for the rest of my life.”

On the opposite side of the results table, Brian Cook was the last Pro Moto Ironman finisher to win the Last Man Standing challenge, which recognizes the final ironman rider to complete the 1000 with a $1,000 cash prize.

In what was likely the gutsiest performance of the race, Levi Riley placed fifth in Pro Moto Ironman despite breaking his collarbone while pre-running. Riley even led the class early on before mechanical issues and time penalties dropped him to his final spot.

With how long the 1000 is, accidents were bound to happen. Mark Bradford’s #469X team overcame an early crash to finish second in Pro Moto 40. In Pro Moto 50, Stephen Sanders’ #509X team wasn’t as lucky as Sebastian Valls was thrown off the bike on his stint and hurt his legs.

The #169X Pro Moto Limited of Justin Ledezma had the bib mousse breke while Chris Johnson was riding, leaving him stranded until the team came with a replacement wheel. Although they reached the finish, they exceeded the time limit.

None of the three Pro class quad crews—the #83A Pro Quad stable of Faelly Lopez along with ironmen Aaron Kosins and Timothy Leavitt—finished. Ironically, all three Sportsman Quad teams did.

Travis Lukens’ #427X Pro Moto 40 was the 32nd and final classified team. His bike made it back to Ensenada with a final time of 35 hours, 33 minutes, and 58 seconds. Conversely, ironman rider Eric Spalt just missed out as he finished a minute and 19 seconds after the 36-hour cutoff.

Class winners

Class	Overall	Number	Rider of Record	Total Time
Pro Moto 30	7	308X	Jason Alosi	22:54:53.954*
Pro Moto 40	4	400X	Shane Esposito	21:12:16.596*
Pro Moto 50	31	500X	Mike Prunty	35:27:45.849*
Pro Moto 60	19	600X	Harold Harris	28:3:34.791*
Pro Moto Adventure	22	808X	Travis Turner	31:25:32.212*
Pro Moto Ironman	11	715X	Larry Serna	25:41:42.045
Pro Moto Limited	6	119X	Ana Rivas	23:33:33.785*
Pro Moto Unlimited	1	7X	Tyler Lynn	17:55:39.008*
Pro Quad	DNF	N/A	No Finishers	DNF
Pro Quad Ironman	DNF	N/A	No Finishers	DNF
Sportsman Moto #	3	269X	Arnaldo Casteneda	21:10:03.379*
Sportsman Quad #	5	138A	Gabriel Vazquez	22:25:00.348*

Featured image credit: SLR Honda