Ricky Brabec’s life took a radical turn when desert races became popular in the United States. His interest in bike racing, or more specifically desert racing, grew quickly and his incredible talent led to a fast improvement in riding skills too.

Ricky Brabec

Background

It has been an intense career so far for youngster Ricky Brabec, signed up for his first Dakar Rally at just 24 years of age. The American, does however, have a lengthy list of titles to back him up; the youth from the U.S. had his best season to date in 2014, when he achieved the three most prestigious titles in desert racing: the Hare & Hound, Best in the Desert and Score, collecting the Baja 1000, Baja 500 and the Baja 250. Such an impressive honours list didn’t go unnoticed to Team HRC who scouted the youth before inviting him to take part in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge in early 2015, his first international participation, where he was the top Junior and fifth overall. After an injury, he returned to the Hare & Hound, winning the last race.

In the Dakar Rally, the big adventure, makes a very good progression from it’s first rally showing his great potential in South America to the best of results, winning the 2020 edition and making history for the American motorsport: the first American to win the Dakar Rally. In 2021 he was again in the podium, finishing second after winning four stages.

The Monster Energy Honda rider was forced to withdraw from the 2023 Dakar Rally after a crash, meaning the rider’s motivation to do well in this year’s Dakar Rally will be high.

Career Information

2022 7th place Dakar Rally
2021 Runner-up Dakar Rally. 4 stages win
2020 Dakar Rally Winner. Two stages win
2020 Winner Sonora Rally. Winner Vegas to Reno
2019 5th place Morocco Rally
2019 Winner Sonora Rally
2019 Dakar Stage 4 winner
2018 3rd place Morocco Rally
2018 5th place Desafio Ruta 40
2017 1st time Stage winner at World Championship (Morocco Rally)
2017 Dakar 1st stage winner (Stage 7, La Paz-Uyuni)
2017 Winner Vegas to Reno
2016 9th place Rally Dakar
2016 Winner Hare&Hound AMA Championship
2015 2nd Hare&Hound AMA Championship; Best Junior rider Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, 5th place overall
2014 Champion Hare&Hound AMA Championship; Winner San Felipe 250; Winner Baja 500; Winner Baja 1000; Winner Vegas to Reno; Winner Imperial Valley; Winner SCORE International Pro Motorcycle
2013 Winner 'Best in the Desert' series
2012 Runner-up 'Best in the Desert' series
2007 Start in off-road competition. District 37 series

Rider Statistics

Date of birth 21st April 1991
Birthplace Mira Loma, California, United States of America
Residence Oak Hills, California, United States of America
Height 185 cm
Weight 95 kg
Hobbies Jet ski, Mountain bike, Road cycling

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