For Levi Stephens, winning the 2026 Custom Lithium Don River Dash was about more than taking the Bike King of the River title. 

The young rider, who is quickly establishing himself as one of Australia’s leading desert racers, says it is the atmosphere that makes the Don stand out from other events on the calendar. Speaking on the ADB Magazine podcast after the race, Stephens described it as having “the best vibe of any race”, where competitors can race hard during the day but still relax, swim, head into town and catch up with fellow riders. “You just can’t beat the niceness of it,” he said. “You go into the pub, hanging out. It actually feels like a holiday.”

Stephens also believes the Don has the potential to become an even bigger event as its reputation grows. Comparing it with the Finke Desert Race, he said he could see a time when competitors travel to Bowen specifically to pre run the course and gain an advantage. The 2026 race was particularly unpredictable after heavy rain and flooding dramatically changed the Don River and left even local riders with limited opportunity to familiarise themselves with the new track. For Stephens, that created a more level playing field. After finishing second in 2025, he returned in 2026 to claim the Bike King of the River title, adding another significant result to a growing desert racing career.

And Stephens has ambitions well beyond the Australian desert scene. The young rider told ADB he has always dreamed of competing in the Dakar Rally and would also love to tackle the legendary Baja 1000, seeing it as a natural step towards international rally racing. For now, though, the Don River Dash remains a favourite on his calendar — a race that combines serious competition with the relaxed atmosphere of the Whitsundays.

At the Don, it seems you can have the best of both worlds: race hard, then take your helmet off and enjoy the holiday.