Ricky Brabec Racing started off the 2021 Dakar Rally #1 plate defense in fine form, totally dominating the Prologue on Saturday. The bad news is that meant the champ had to break trail on Sunday's Stage 1. ASO changed things up, putting a premium of navigation and included more technical sections. However as the 2020 champ says, it is a long race.
"We won the Prologue, but unfortunately, it hit us hard. We opened today and it wasn’t really as easy as we were expecting. The other guys started back and they dealt their cards a little bit better than we did," explains the HRC - Honda Racing Corporation / Monster Energy rider.
"We didn’t really sit back in the Prologue which led us up to the front. Stage one was difficult to navigate. It wasn’t fast. There were tons of rocks and slower speeds." New rules also limit the number of tires that can be used, forcing the Honda Motorcycles & ATVs rider to be strategic.
"I was trying to manage the rear tyre as we have to go more than one day on this tyre. I wasn’t sure of the speed and some of the other guys were on the gas a little bit harder. Hopefully in the end it’ll all pay off but, as of now, it’s only the first day and we have 11 left. Tomorrow we’ll start a bit further back with sand dunes and sand piste. Hopefully we can push up and make some time back."