Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Skyler Howes has claimed second overall at the 2021 Silk Way Rally, thanks in part to a strong performance on the fifth and final stage. The result moves the American up to second in the FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship standings. Howes chose the perfect pace over the 110km timed section to ultimately finish fourth on the stage and claim second overall in the final rally standings.
"So stoked I don’t even know how to describe the feeling,” said the Top American. “If you would have told me a year ago that I would be standing on the podium of a FIM World Rally in Russia I wouldn’t even know what to say. I’m so thankful to be a part of this awesome team. Everyone puts in so much work to make this happen and to reward the work with a podium feels really good."
Despite having a technical issue on the previous round of the series that knocked him down in the order, his second-place result from the Silk Way Rally elevates Skyler to second overall in the FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship. With the team contesting two further races in the series – Morocco and Abu Dhabi – the American star is still very much in the running for the championship title.
2021 Silk Way Rally – Overall Provisional Classification
1. Matthias Walkner (KTM) 6:19:18
2. Skyler Howes (Husqvarna) 6:25:38
3. Franco Caimi (Hero) 6:25:44
4. Daniel Sanders (GASGAS) 6:26:37
5. Sebastian Buhler (Hero) 6:29:36