2021 Dakar Rally

Today it was time to say goodbye to the 2023 edition of the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia, after the 14th stage held between Al-Hofuf and Dammam. This completed the 8.549 kilometers of the round one from the World Rally Raid Championship, with the most mythical and certainly hard motorsports… read more.

Today the penultimate stage of this year’s Dakar Rally was a goodbye to the vast landscapes of the Empty Quarter side of Saudi Arabia.  Leaving Shaybah, the riders had a short liaison of nine kilometers and then started the 153 km long special section. The route of this 13th stage… read more.

José Ignacio Cornejo was the man of the day during the second part of the marathon stage at the Empty Quarter. This was the second stage victory for Monster Energy Honda Team during this Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia. On the arrival at Shaybah bivouac, the Chilean was 49 seconds… read more.

It is the highlight of a week of action in the deserts of Saudi Arabia. The Dakar Rally 2023 finally reached today the immense sea of dunes known as the Empty Quarter. With a special reddish-orange color, this is the largest continuous sand territory in the world – with its… read more.

After 11 days (prologue and 10 stages), the Dakar Rally 2023 made a drastic change heading southeast. Monster Energy Honda Team riders José Ignacio Cornejo (CL), Adrien Van Beveren (FR) and Pablo Quintanilla (CL) had an early wake up call around 3:00 am. In less than one hour they were… read more.

Back to the action after the rest day, the Dakar Rally entered its last week in the deserts of Saudi Arabia. Stage number nine made the connection between Riyadh and Haradh, with a special stage of 359 kilometers and a liaison of 328 km. Wadis, canyons and dunes were the… read more.

Rest day means that the first week of competition at the Dakar Rally is behind. Riyadh was the place for this year’s pause, with the bivouac placed in the surroundings of the Saudi Arabia capital. So today riders could sleep in a nice hotel, relax and meet fans eager to… read more.

It was another long day at the Dakar Rally, with a total of 821 kilometers to complete between Al Duwadimi and Riyadh. Even so, the special section was reduced to a length of 345 kilometers starting around valleys in the hearth of the mountains before tackling again the wide open… read more.

Unexpected rain showers and floods are causing some damage in the program of this year’s  Dakar Rally. After the change of the structure of stage 6, many riders reached the new bivouac in Riyadh already during the night. For this reason and also due to the bad weather conditions, ASO… read more.

This was the longest day of the Dakar Rally 2023 so far, with the weather conditions forcing the ASO organization to change the structure of stage number six. Riders got up in the middle of the night to leave the bivouac in Ha’il at around four o’clock. In total they… read more.

This was certainly a good day for the Monster Energy Honda Team: Adrien Van Beveran was the winner of the fifth stage of the Dakar Rally 2023! But that was not all, since José Ignacio Cornejo – the Chilean known by all as Nacho – was also second in this… read more.

Desert lovers finally had a break after so many stones and rocks. In a circuit with start and arrival at the Ha’il bivouac, the fourth stage of the Dakar Rally 2023 was composed of 425 kilometers on the chronograph and a liaison of 152 km. The first 100 kilometers were… read more.

When we think about the Dakar Rally, it’s normally sunny, hot and full of sand. Today’s special stage was 447 kilometers long and offered the riders an impressive variety of terrains and sensations. Still some challenging rocky tracks on the horizon, dirt and sandy tracks made this day – leaving… read more.

Today it was time for the second stage of the Dakar Rally 2023, with the connection between the Sea Camp and Alula. Along the 430 kilometers of the Special Stage, riders got mostly hard and rocky tracks – conditions that demanded a lot of attention to avoid damaging the tyres… read more.

It was certainly a good day for the riders of the Monster Energy Honda Team! Special stage number one at the Dakar Rally 2023 brought 369 kilometers of action throughout sandy and stony tracks, with start point and arrival at the Sea Camp bivouac – close to Yanbu (South Arabia).… read more.

The action is finally on at the Dakar Rally 2023! It was just a symbolic start today, with a short 13 kilometers prologue with start and finish at the Sea Camp bivouac. Breaking the ice, this was certainly a different way to say goodbye to 2022. The 45th edition of… read more.

Fully adapted to the conditions in Saudi Arabia, Monster Energy Honda Team riders Ricky Brabec (USA), Adrien Van Beveren (FR), Pablo Quintanilla (CL) and José Ignacio Cornejo (CL) are looking forward to start the Honda CRF 450 Rally engines for the Dakar Rally 2023. After the private test and all… read more.

Monster Energy Honda Team riders Ricky Brabec (USA), Adrien Van Beveren (FR), Pablo Quintanilla (CL) and José Ignacio Cornejo (CL) are determined to set the pace in next Dakar Rally 2023, starting with confidence a new season at the FIM World Rally Raid World Championship. This feeling is the consequence… read more.

Monster Energy Honda Team rider Pablo Quintanilla won the final 2022 Dakar Rally stage to grab second overall place in the race just three-and-a-half minutes shy of the winner. All four team riders managed to finish one of the toughest ever editions of the rally, with the Honda CRF450 RALLY… read more.

Monster Energy Honda Team’s Dakar Rally battle will go down to the wire. After the penultimate stage, Pablo Quintanilla holds second overall place with a chance of victory. There are still over 150 kilometres left to go, with the Dakar often producing final stage surprises. Today’s special stage, as expected,… read more.

The 2022 Dakar Rally enters its final stretch with the frontrunners positioning themselves before the final showdown. Today, most riders opted for a tactical strategy rather than leaving anything to chance in tomorrow’s decisive stage in Bisha. For the Monster Energy Honda Team, Quintanilla moves onto the rally’s virtual final… read more.

Monster Energy Honda Team riders will be in contention for the final overall Dakar Rally 2022 victory. Although the first week did not go quite according to plan, the team has, nevertheless, given their maximum to stand a chance in the rally’s grand finale. Nacho Cornejo won the ninth stage.… read more.

Pablo Quintanilla posted second place today at the finish-line in Wadi Ad-Dawasir, clawing back time and setting up the chance of making the top step of the final podium. Monster Energy Honda Team’s American rider Ricky Brabec was fourth on the day. The Dakar Rally heads into its final stretch… read more.

The break in Riyadh appears to have benefited the Monster Energy Honda Team riders – as can be seen in the seventh stage results – with riders bound for the Saudi Arabian capital and the new Al Dawadimi bivouac. Chilean ‘Nacho’ Cornejo won today’s stage with Barreda the third fastest.… read more.

The Dakar wrapped up its first week of racing, with the riders, in the usual tradition, now able to put their feet up. Monster Energy Honda Team continue with their preparations ahead of the final week, with chances of clinching top results still wide open. With the race now at… read more.

Today’s stage was cut short due to poor conditions. Race organisers called a halt to the special stage with 101 kilometres completed, a quarter of the scheduled total. As had previously been predicted, today’s stage was held amid dismal track conditions, given that the cars, SSVs and trucks had competed… read more.

With renewed vigour after yesterday’s gruelling stage, Monster Energy Honda Team riders once again went for broke on a tough stage. Nacho Cornejo and Ricky Brabec stood out at the end of the special, with Barreda and Quintanilla opening the track. The first of the two looping routes in Riyadh… read more.

Joan Barreda pushed his Honda CRF450 RALLY to the limit over the 465 kilometres of today’s special – the longest of the Dakar Rally – to finish with the day’s top time at the finish in Riyadh. Chilean rider Pablo Quintanilla put the icing on the cake for Monster Energy… read more.

Monster Energy Honda Team riders turned out solid performances in today’s looping Al Qaisumah special, with sights firmly set on tomorrow’s longest 2022 Dakar Rally special. Brabec, Cornejo, Barreda and Quintanilla will all be looking to make up time and positions by the time they reach Riyadh. Today’s third stage… read more.

With today’s triumph, Joan Barreda now holds a tally of 28 Dakar Rally stage wins. The Monster Energy Honda Team rider is the third most successful motorcycle rider in the rally’s history after Peterhansel and Despres (33). The general standings underwent a slight reshuffle today, with Pablo Quintanilla now in… read more.

Today marks the end of the first stage of the Dakar Rally 2022, which began yesterday with the prologue. Pablo Quintanilla repeated yesterday’s position and remains in contention for the race lead. Yesterday’s prologue stage was a mere curtain-raiser for the riders, but today the Dakar challenge turned serious. Navigation… read more.

Pablo Quintanilla posted second place in the prologue stage that kicked off the 2022 Dakar Rally, today. Barreda, ninth, Brabec, twelfth, and Cornejo, twenty-first, all completed the initial kilometres of the race without any setbacks. The 2022 Dakar Rally is underway after the opening leg of a special stage which… read more.

Monster Energy Honda Team are all set to compete in the 44th edition of the Dakar Rally. All the riders and bikes cruised successfully through today’s scrutineering and yesterday’ shakedown leaving the four riders confident of their prospects for the rally which gets underway on 1st January. A blast from… read more.

The Official Honda HRC Cross-Country Rally Team was unveiled today. Monster Energy Honda Team is all set to face the new challenges ahead, the toughest of which will be the 2022 Dakar Rally. The current Dakar Rally championship-winning team were in attendance for the gala presentation of the official Honda… read more.

The 2022 Dakar Rally was set in motion today with the announcement of the dates and locations for the forthcoming edition of the world’s toughest race. Monster Energy Honda Team, winner of the last two editions of the race, were in attendance at the presentation of the annual event set… read more.

Kevin Benavides and Ricky Brabec claimed a double at the 2021 Dakar Rally for Monster Energy Honda Team, after dominating the race. In the third chapter of the Dakar, for a second consecutive year, Honda has triumphed in the world’s toughest rally. Three weeks after arriving in Saudi Arabia to… read more.

Monster Energy Honda Team has done it again at the 2021 Dakar Rally, snatching the overall win with a one-two finish for the team who dominated throughout. Kevin Benavides sees a dream come true as he becomes a Dakar champion. Ricky Brabec, runner-up overall, took the spoils on the final… read more.

The final stage of the 2021 Dakar Rally delivered the outright race win to Monster Energy Honda Team. Kevin Benavides claimed the triumph after twelve gruelling stages. Ricky Brabec accompanied him on the podium in second place. It was an intense, yet intriguing 202-kilometre special stage, which brought down the… read more.

The penultimate stage of the Dakar has once again produced some upsets. This morning, three riders set off from the Al-Ula bivouac eager to gain a place on the final podium. Brabec and Benavides remain in the battle for the overall win. Barreda has been forced to withdraw. The longest… read more.

The 2021 Dakar Rally is now entering into its final phase, with the battle hotting up as the rally heads towards its final showdown in Jeddah. Today saw mixed fortunes for the Monster Energy Honda Team who, in spite of a 1-2-3 finish at the end of the tenth stage,… read more.

The ninth stage of the Dakar turned out to be an extremely tough one. All the riders arrived at Neom exhausted after the 465-kilometre looping special stage on the shores of the Red Sea, which proved highly-demanding in terms of both riding and navigation. 1-2-3 for the Monster Energy Honda… read more.

The Dakar 2021 marathon day ended on a high note for the Monster Energy Honda Team. The team posted fine results, led by a José Ignacio Cornejo, who not only clinched the stage but also consolidated his position at the head of the overall standings. Today the stage got off… read more.

Monster Energy Honda Team’s Honda CRF450 RALLY bikes continue to steal the limelight at the 2021 Dakar. As the race resumed after the rest day, Ricky Brabec commanded the opening leg of the marathon stage, with Nacho Cornejo finishing behind him. The Chilean rider currently holds the rally leadership by… read more.

With all four team riders in great shape, Monster Energy Honda Team is today enjoying a rest day in Ha’il as the squad prepares to tackle the second and final week of the Dakar Rally which recommences tomorrow, Sunday, with the marathon stage. Monster Energy Honda Team is taking advantage… read more.

The arrival of the rest day will come as a relief to the Dakar Rally participants. The sixth stage, which set off from Al Qaisumah bound for the Ha’il bivouac, confirmed Monster Energy Honda Team’s fine form. In addition to another victory for Joan Barreda; Brabec, Cornejo and Benavides are… read more.

With the opening third of the 2021 Dakar completed, Monster Energy Honda Team riders now aim to consolidate positions which will allow them to attack in the second half of the race. Today saw another one-two for the Honda CRF450 RALLY, with Benavides and Cornejo occupying the top two places… read more.

Once again, a Monster Energy Honda Team rider claimed the top spot on a very lengthy fourth day of the Dakar Rally. Joan Barreda clinched yet another stage victory and now lies in second overall. Kevin Benavides likewise turned out a fine showing and currently holds third in the general… read more.

After a fine stage yesterday, with a one-two for Barreda and Brabec who claimed the top of the overall rally standings, today was the turn of Kevin Benavides. The Argentinean Monster Energy Honda Team rider finished the Dakar 2021 third stage in runner-up spot, just short of the leadership. The… read more.

Joan Barreda and Ricky Brabec scooped another one-two for Monster Energy Honda Team in the second stage of the Dakar Rally 2021. This marks a twenty-fifth stage victory for the Spaniard, who holds the place as the rider with the fourth highest number of wins in Dakar history. Barreda is… read more.

The Dakar Rally is off and running in Saudi Arabia after the first full stage ended at the new bivouac situated in Bisha. Monster Energy Honda Team rider Kevin Benavides finishes second on the day and now lies in second place overall in the general standings. The 2021 Dakar Rally… read more.

The curtain rose today on the 2021 Dakar Rally with a short prologue. The rehearsals are over and it’s now showtime, with everything counting from this moment onward. The Monster Energy Honda Team riders got off to a fine start on the opening 10-kilometre special. The curtain-raiser, which was held… read more.

It was a strange New Year’s Day: while the rest of world celebrated the arrival of 2021 year, in Jeddah’s King Abdullah Sports City, preparation work for the latest edition of the Rally Dakar was in full swing. Monster Energy Honda Team was given the green light after passing all… read more.

Since the official Honda team returned to the Dakar Rally in 2013 after a 23-year absence, one of the team bikes will, for the first time, do so with the number one emblazoned on its fairings. Monster Energy Honda Team will be seeking to replicate the feat achieved by Ricky… read more.

1 prologue, 12 stages, 4800 kilometres of timed specials, two looping stages and a marathon stage are some of the main features that the ASO released today for the forthcoming 2021 Dakar Rally. The 43rd edition of the great challenge gets underway in just forty days time, with Monster Energy… read more.

Exactly one month ago on January 17, 2020, Ricky Brabec rewarded Monster Energy Honda Team with a long-awaited triumph in the Dakar Rally, eight years after the squad’s return to the most demanding, toughest, yet cruellest of competitions. This video chronicles Honda’s participation in the race. In 2013, after a… read more.

After Africa and South America, the most recent chapter of Dakar Rally history, in the Middle East, has opened, adorned in the colours of Monster Energy Honda Team and American Ricky Brabec as the leading race protagonists. The vast and unchartered desert of Saudi Arabia has, for a fortnight, proved… read more.

Over 30 years have passed since Honda last triumphed in the Dakar Rally. In 2020, Monster Energy Honda Team has once again laid claim to the coveted bronze Tuareg prize. Ricky Brabec makes history to become the first ever American to win the world’s toughest and cruellest rally. After eight… read more.

Monster Energy Honda Team has triumphed in the 2020 Dakar Rally! Eight years after the return of the official Team HRC squad to the world’s toughest rally, Honda rider Ricky Brabec has topped the overall podium, having commanded from the start of the rally to the final special held in… read more.

Monster Energy Honda Team’s Ricky Brabec holds on to the overall leadership of the 2020 Dakar Rally. The American is poised to tackle the final stage which could be a historical one for the Honda squad.  The second leg of the marathon stage unfolded without setbacks for the Monster Energy… read more.

Barreda, Brabec and Benavides occupied the top three places in the tenth stage of the 2020 Dakar Rally to confirm Monster Energy Honda Team’s intentions for the overall victory. The second sector of the marathon stage was cancelled due to safety reasons. Monster Energy Honda Team riders Joan Barreda, Ricky… read more.

The Dakar heads into its final stretch – expected to be the toughest of all – with the riders of Monster Energy Honda Team well-positioned for the final assault. Brabec, the current leader, keeps his distance over rivals, while Barreda goes in search of an overall podium place. The Dakar… read more.

After the accident yesterday which claimed the life of motorcycle rider Paulo Gonçalves, today’s stage, the eighth of the Dakar Rally 2020, has been cancelled in the motorcycle category out of respect for the mourning of family and friends in the bivouac. An on-track accident at kilometre 276 in the… read more.

The seventh stage of the Dakar Rally 2020 has concluded in Wadi Al-Dawasir with Kevin Benavides taking the top honours. The entire Monster Energy Honda squad wishes to express its condolences at the loss of Paulo Gonçalves, rider with the team from 2013 to 2019. The very high number of… read more.

With Ricky Brabec heading the overall leader board, many might believe that the Monster Energy Honda Team hold good chances of triumphing in the rally. But take nothing for granted: on the second week of the Dakar Rally we will face to toughest part of the race. It was a… read more.

Ricky Brabec continues his Dakar 2020 crusade with another stage triumph, the second of this edition, consolidating his leadership as the new Dakar – held in Saudi Arabia – arrives at its rest day in the capital Riyadh. It was all smiles from Ricky Brabec as he rode into Riyadh… read more.

Monster Energy Honda Team overcome a tricky stage to obtain fine results. Ricky Brabec, on his arrival at the bivouac in Ha’il, expresses his satisfaction at continuing to hold the leadership. Three Honda riders now occupy the top five overall places. From the great rocks of Tabuk to the sandy… read more.

Stage four of the 2020 Dakar Rally saw the Monster Energy Honda Team components arrive at the final destination at the Al Ula bivouac, very well-positioned in the race. ‘Nacho’ Cornejo finished the race in first position, followed home by Benavides and Brabec. The American remains leader ahead of his… read more.

It was an outstanding performance on track today from Ricky Brabec, José Ignacio Cornejo, Kevin Benavides and Joan Barreda on the looping circuit in Neom on stage three of the 2020 Dakar Rally. Monster Energy Honda Team riders currently occupy the top five positions in the general standings. The Super… read more.

Monster Energy Honda Team’s Kevin Benavides produced an excellent showing to take third place on the overall leader board – a minute and a half adrift of the leader – after the first leg of the Super Marathon stage held today between Al Wajh and Neom. All the riders now… read more.

Ricky Brabec and Kevin Benavides were the fastest names among the Monster Energy Honda Team riders as the Dakar Rally made its maiden outing in the Middle East. The American rider, placing second, and the Argentinean, in fourth, shone in the opening 2020 Dakar stage. Two of yesterday’s most photographed… read more.

With the shakedown completed and the administrative and technical verification processes carried out, Monster Energy Honda Team is now 100% set to get the 2020 Dakar Rally underway. The five factory riders, along with the entire team supporting them, are poised to tackle the world’s toughest rally on January 5.… read more.

Just three years ago, Ruben Faria (Olhao, Portugal, 07/30/1974) was still competing in the Dakar Rally. Finishing second in the world’s toughest race in 2013, the new Monster Energy Honda Team General Manager knows the world of Cross-Country Rally perfectly and, in particular, a race as special as the Dakar.… read more.

Ricky Brabec (Mira Loma, California, 21st April 1991) proved himself to be one of the clear favourites in the most recent edition of the Dakar Rally. The rider could have even grabbed the final glory had it not been for a mechanical setback. From the Californian desert, this budding star… read more.

One week ago, the Rally Dakar organizers, ASO, have overseen several days of verifications prior to the shipment of all European vehicles due to take part in the forthcoming edition of the rally in Saudi Arabia. The Monster Energy Honda vehicles successfully made it through the checks and are now… read more.

With a month and a half left before the 2020 edition of the Dakar Rally gets underway, today saw the definitive presentation of the race at the Arab World Institute in Paris, an apt setting given that the entire race will take place in the Middle East, with Saudi Arabia… read more.

After the official presentation of the Honda and HRC factory teams for the 2020 season featuring the presence of Monster Energy Honda Team members Kevin Benavides and Ricky Brabec, the duo found time to attend EICMA, the world’s largest motorcycle show. In spite of the absence of some of the… read more.

A new chapter in the Dakar Rally story has opened with the official presentation of the 2020 edition due to take place in Saudi Arabia. After Africa and South America, the Middle East now takes up the baton of the rally-raid race par excellence. New details were unveiled yesterday in… read more.

Finally, after confirmation by race organizers, the Dakar 2020 was unveiled today in Saudi Arabia, where the event will be hosted over the next five years. Monster Energy Honda Team was present at the event held in Riyadh. Monster Energy Honda Team has officially confirmed its participation in the next… read more.