Ricky Brabec is back at the Dakar Rally to defend his #1 plate. The Monster Energy Honda Team has been in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, sitting out the final hours of lockdown in the hotel, passed the final COVID-19 tests and cleared scrutineering. Now it is time to rally! The 2021 Dakar Rally begins on January 3 in Jeddah and finishes January 15th after a total of 7,649-kilometers, including some 4,767 kilometers against the clock.
In addition to Brabec making history as the first American to win Dakar overall, it has been more than 30 years since Honda had a #1 plate in the granddaddy of all Rally Raids. Not since the legendary Gilles Lalay won the Dakar back in 1989 has a Honda rider sported the coveted #1 now found on Brabec’s CRF450 RALLY.
Brabec will be accompanied by three other top-class riders. Chilean José Ignacio Cornejo (#4), fourth last year, has proven to be a valuable asset to the Monster Energy Honda Team, adapting well to the Saudi Arabian terrain. Alongside Brabec and Cornejo, is Argentinean rider Kevin Benavides (#47), who was Dakar runner-up in 2018 and winner of the 2020 Andalucia Rally. After competing in 11 Dakar Rallies Joan Barreda (#88) knows what is at stake. Barreda has won more stages than any rider currently competing: 24.