 7,967 km of rallying across Saudi Arabia came to a conclusion by the breathtaking Red Sea at Yanbu with Honda Team’s Ricky Brabec taking the top step of the Dakar for a second time, making history as the only American to do so.After spending much of the first week amongst the front runners, the 2020 winner took the reins after the gruelling 48-hr chrono and despite a one-second margin to second place Ross Branch at the end of stage seven, the Californian never looked back and rode to a faultless Dakar win with nearly eleven minutes in hand.In what has been a calm and collected display throughout the rally by the 32-year-old, he also added another stage win to the ten he has already collected in his Dakar career to date and leaves round one at the top of the 2024 World Rally-Raid Championship standings.At his ninth attempt of the Dakar, Frenchman Adrien Van Beveren stood on the podium that has eluded him over the past few years after taking a hard-fought 48-hr Chrono stage victory, the sand specialist found his rhythm in the second week and had an immense battle with Ross Branch and teammate José Ignacio Cornejo for the podium. Despite a near miss with a camel yesterday, he fought right to the end for the runner-up spot but had to make do with the final podium place.One of two Chilean riders in the Honda Team, ‘Nacho’ Cornejo had one of his career-best performances at the famous rally, from off he led in the standings and racked up a hat-trick of magnificent stage victories, also fighting for an elusive podium. Unfortunately, a fuel pump issue put paid to his fight yesterday and his final sixth place did not reflect on what a truly outstanding performance he produced.His fellow Chilean, Pablo Quintanilla has been the runner-up twice at the Dakar and as the most experienced member of the team was eager to turn his twelfth participation into victory. Unfortunately for the Dakar legend, the 48-hr Chrono would put paid to his chances when he ran short of fuel on the first day of the tough stage. Despite the disappointment he battled on helping his teammates and also taking valuable points in the World Rally-Raid Championship.With the new generation Honda CRF450 now a rally-winner, the Honda team put on a powerful display on their first outing in 2024 as the stage wins racked up over the two weeks. Tosha Schareina opened proceedings with the prologue victory, Nacho Cornejo gained the accolade of the most stage wins this year with three, Adrien Van Beveren banked two and Pablo Quintanilla and Ricky Brabec took one apiece to make seven in all.With the team fully deserving of some rest and recuperation, they will reconvene in April for the Rally-Raid in Portugal from April 2-7.–IANShs/){kind=link}
Saudi Arabia, Jan 20 (IANS) 7,967 km of rallying throughout Saudi Arabia got here to a conclusion by the breathtaking Crimson Sea at Yanbu with Honda Group’s Ricky Brabec taking the highest step of the Dakar for a second time, making historical past as the one American to take action.
After spending a lot of the primary week amongst the entrance runners, the 2020 winner took the reins after the gruelling 48-hr chrono and regardless of a one-second margin to second place Ross Department on the finish of stage seven, the Californian by no means appeared again and rode to a faultless Dakar win with practically eleven minutes in hand.
In what has been a relaxed and picked up show all through the rally by the 32-year-old, he additionally added one other stage win to the ten he has already collected in his Dakar profession to this point and leaves spherical one on the prime of the 2024 World Rally-Raid Championship standings.
At his ninth try of the Dakar, Frenchman Adrien Van Beveren stood on the rostrum that has eluded him over the previous few years after taking a hard-fought 48-hr Chrono stage victory, the sand specialist discovered his rhythm within the second week and had an immense battle with Ross Department and teammate José Ignacio Cornejo for the rostrum. Regardless of a close to miss with a camel yesterday, he fought proper to the top for the runner-up spot however needed to make do with the ultimate podium place.
One in all two Chilean riders within the Honda Group, ‘Nacho’ Cornejo had considered one of his career-best performances on the well-known rally, from off he led within the standings and racked up a hat-trick of magnificent stage victories, additionally preventing for an elusive podium. Sadly, a gasoline pump difficulty put paid to his struggle yesterday and his remaining sixth place didn’t mirror on what a really excellent efficiency he produced.
His fellow Chilean, Pablo Quintanilla has been the runner-up twice on the Dakar and because the most skilled member of the workforce was keen to show his twelfth participation into victory. Sadly for the Dakar legend, the 48-hr Chrono would put paid to his possibilities when he ran wanting gasoline on the primary day of the robust stage. Regardless of the frustration he battled on serving to his teammates and likewise taking precious factors within the World Rally-Raid Championship.
With the brand new technology Honda CRF450 now a rally-winner, the Honda workforce placed on a robust show on their first outing in 2024 because the stage wins racked up over the 2 weeks. Tosha Schareina opened proceedings with the prologue victory, Nacho Cornejo gained the accolade of essentially the most stage wins this 12 months with three, Adrien Van Beveren banked two and Pablo Quintanilla and Ricky Brabec took one apiece to make seven in all.
With the workforce absolutely deserving of some relaxation and recuperation, they are going to reconvene in April for the Rally-Raid in Portugal from April 2-7.
–IANS
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