Dakar Rally 2016
The greatest and toughest rally in the world, the Dakar’s history has been written in the heart of some of the world’s most stunning deserts and belongs to the world of the greatest sporting challenges of our time. Both a motor race and an orienteering challenge, the Dakar Rally pits some of the world’s greatest long-distance rally drivers against amateur competitors for whom the race is often the culmination of their dreams and who come to take up the challenge with their motorcycles, quad bikes, cars and trucks. Participants of fifty nationalities come together every year for this race where competition and help go hand in hand, which is watched on television in 190 countries.
Having become an international event, which gathers together men and women of more than 50 different nationalities, the Dakar draws on a thirst for interaction and the open-mindedness of its competitors, who all crave to explore the deserts of the world and to push themselves to the limit. The places on the final podium represent an exceptional challenge, sometimes that of a lifetime. Apart from the standings, all the competitors are motivated by this resolute desire, an almost crazy dream to finish the race. Whether they are motorcyclists, car drivers, truckers, or quad riders, they all share this ambition, a feeling that brings them together. The tradition of solidarity, a principle which is one of the pillars of the “Dakar Spirit”, stems from this shared passion. They all speak the same language.
The Dakar ranks as one of the greatest challenges of all extreme competitions. It is the pinnacle of the motor sports discipline and inspires adventurers as much now as it ever has. More than just a simple question of racing and speed, the Dakar requires off-piste navigational skills and consistency. In off-road races, endurance prevails and the slightest mistake costs dearly. Coping with the living conditions, managing fatigue, and weighing up the risks of the race can only be achieved by a combination of peak physical condition and impeccable technical skills. Over the past thirty-six years, this combination of physical rigour and technical performance has appealed to champions and little known competitors from a wide variety of backgrounds, all wanting to experience and make their mark on this extraordinary event.
Just as it focused attention on the deserts of Africa for some thirty years, since 2009, the Dakar has off ered participants the chance to discover the wide open spaces of South America. It gives drivers from around the world the chance to plunge into the heart of nature in a majestic setting which changes on a daily basis. The richness of these deserts and the almost endless possibilities for new race routes are combined with the opportunity to discover the populations and cultures whose roots lie deep in the civilisations which preceded us. Between seven and eight hundred competitors come together every year for this race where competition and help go hand in hand, which is watched on television by a billion viewers in 190 countries.
Location Information
Lima, Perú - View in Google Maps
After two weeks and 8000 kilometres of gruelling competition full of a thousand challenges in all kinds of conditions, Monster Energy Honda Team have completed the 40th edition of the Dakar Rally. Kevin Benavides proved himself up to the challenge, earning a well-merited place on the final podium of the… read more.
Monster Energy Honda Team rider Kevin Benavides is a stone’s throw away from a final overall podium place when tomorrow’s last stage concludes in Cordoba, Argentina. It was a tough slog today with Argentinean rider Benavides, giving the race his all, and eventually going on to post second place. Today’s… read more.
The Dakar Rally’s race organizers last night took the decision to annul the twelfth stage for motorcycles, citing safety reasons. Today, riders headed directly to the bivouac at the El Zonda speed circuit in San Juan. Yesterday night, in the Fiambalá camp, race authorities made it know that the first… read more.
Kevin Benavides keeps all options open in the 2018 Dakar after a gruelling stage in Fiambalá that saw Joan Barreda abandon the rally after one too many falls. Ricky Brabec and Nacho Cornejo also feature in the overall top ten. Today’s rider starting order was dictated by the overall results… read more.
The tenth stage of the 2018 Dakar turned out to be a particularly harsh one causing major disruptions to the top positions. It was back to business for the rally after the cancellation yesterday of the ninth stage. It proved to be just as arduous as had been previously expected,… read more.
Salta turned out in force to welcome the participants of the Dakar to Argentinean soil; in particular local boy and Monster Energy Honda Team member Kevin Benavides. With the special stage cancelled today, riders had to complete the link section by road from Tupiza, Bolivia to Salta, Argentina. Today there… read more.
Monster Energy Honda Team is still well in contention for the 2018 Dakar Rally. As the second leg of the marathon stage comes to a close, Kevin Benavides is about to reach his home town of Salta breathing down the neck of the overall race leader. Great stage performances from… read more.
Monster Energy Honda Team today battled its way through a complicated marathon stage in the 2018 Dakar Rally. Joan Barreda took the triumph in the special stage despite crashing en route. Kevin Benavides posted third position. Both are still well set up for final overall podium places. The second week… read more.
In the bivouac at La Paz today there was no rush and little noise of running engines. It was a moment for riders to catch up on the sleep that they’ve missed over the previous days and a chance for the mechanics to work on the machines. The Monster Energy… read more.
The Honda CRF450 RALLY of the Monster Energy Honda Team continues to excel in this 40th edition of the Dakar Rally. A dazzling performance today by Kevin Benavides earns the Argentinean the overall leadership of the race. It was a dreadful sixth stage of the 2018 Dakar Rally, which brings… read more.
In a magnificent fifth stage at the 2018 Dakar Rally, Monster Energy Honda Team’s Joan Barreda proved too hot to handle, commanding throughout the penultimate date in Peru. In addition to clawing back fourteen minutes from the race’s overall leader, the Spanish rider scales the leader board to fourth place.… read more.
Kevin Benavides and Joan Barreda continue to battle on at a swift pace in a highly-complicated fourth stage at the 2018 Dakar Rally. Notable performance from young Chilean José Ignacio Cornejo, the best of the Monster Energy Honda Team in today’s race. The fourth stage of the Dakar featured a… read more.
Mission accomplished for Kevin Benavides in the third stage of the 2018 Dakar Rally. The Argentinean rider, who posted second on the day, ascends the general rankings to second spot just three minutes adrift of the current leader. Likewise, Ricky Brabec performed well to finish fourth as Barreda concedes his… read more.
Blistering performances from Monster Energy Honda Team with the stage victory for Joan Barreda, plus fourth and fifth spots for Michael Metge and Kevin Benavides as the race moves on from Pisco. A rough offroad ride and sand dunes were the order of the day for stage two of the… read more.
The sun-scorched dunes of Ica in Pisco, with temperatures of 39-degrees, witnessed the opening of the 2018 Dakar Rally today. Joan Barreda proved to be the fastest of the Monster Energy Honda Team, placing fourth in the soft Peruvian sands. The 2018 Dakar Rally – now in its 40th edition… read more.
The season’s main event is finally upon the Monster Energy Honda Team as the 2018 Dakar Rally kicks off this Saturday, 6th January in Lima. The squad will be aspiring to the top final positions on the final podium when the race closes in Cordoba. Monster Energy Honda Team is… read more.
The Dakar Rally draws closer for Monster Energy Honda Team with the loading of the vehicles in the port of Le Havre. The ship transporting all the team’s equipment is bound for the port of Lima and is due to arrive in a month’s time. With the details of the… read more.
Paulo Gonçalves, second-place finisher for Honda in 2015, today took part in the official 2018 Dakar Rally presentation, as details of the race were revealed. The 40th edition looks set to be a hard-fought event in which the Monster Energy Honda Team will have their sights firmly set on a… read more.
Barcelona was one of the first stop-offs for the Dakar Tour, as details of the Rally Dakar 2018 are revealed. Riders, teams and fans in the Catalan capital turned out in force to see the presentation. Monster Energy Honda Team was present with riders Joan Barreda and Michael Metge. Marc… read more.
After a fortnight competing in the world’s toughest race, Monster Energy Honda Team’s campaign ends with a positive scorecard. Throughout the ten disputed stages, the team have clearly shown all the necessary requisites to triumph in the Dakar. The battle goes on. Joan Barreda, the Monster Energy Honda Team ace,… read more.
The final stage in Río Cuarto has brought the Dakar Rally challenge to a close. Monster Energy Honda Team commanded throughout, winning half the stages disputed. Both Joan Barreda – winner of four stages – and Paulo Gonçalves finished among the top riders overall. The short special stage in Río… read more.
The Monster Energy Honda Team continue to show a high level of commitment to the race and are tenaciously battling on until the end. In the penultimate stage of the Dakar 2017, Joan Barreda was the best of the one hundred bikers who made it to Río Cuarto, with Paulo… read more.
The natural disasters of two days ago in Jujuy and the cancelation of the ninth stage yesterday are now history and today the Dakar Rally was back on its scheduled route. In the suffocating regions of La Rioja and San Juan, the Monster Energy Honda Team grabbed the glory with… read more.
A second stage triumph for Joan Barreda who commanded from start to finish in both specials of the Rally Dakar 2017 eighth stage. The Monster Energy Honda Team once again gave a master class in a race hampered by the weather. Stage eight of the Rally Dakar 2017, the second… read more.
The Monster Energy Honda Team is going all out in the battle for the Rally Dakar 2017 as the squad posts their best podium finish to date. Today, Ricky Brabec picked up top honours for the first time in the rally, with team-mate Paulo Gonçalves taking second spot. After an… read more.
The participants of the Dakar Rally 2017 were spared another early-rise this morning and got to put their feet up in La Paz, Bolivia. Riders finally get a well-deserved rest day in La Paz, Bolivia and the chance to recharge the batteries as well as making preparations for the decisive… read more.
The Dakar Rally, en route through Bolivia, is taking a bad beating from the weather. The country, which has been suffering an extreme drought for several months, has seen the arrival of the race coincide with arrival of the rain. The heavy downpours, while good for local irrigation, are causing… read more.
The trans-Andean country would appear to be jinxed for the Monster Energy Honda Team, who continued to have bad luck on a gloomy stage between Tupiza and Oruro. In spite of the setbacks, Paulo Gonçalves posted runner-up spot on the fifth day of racing. First Joan Barreda and Michael Metge,… read more.
Another savvy performance from Monster Energy Honda Team’s Joan Barreda in the 2017 Dakar Rally. The HRC rider dominated virtually the entire stage, only conceding the top spot in the final stretches of the race as the rally arrives at the camp in Tupiza, in Bolivia. Joan Barreda pulled off… read more.
Joan Barreda emerged victorious thanks to a great tactical display in the third stage of the Rally Dakar 2017. The Spanish rider from the Monster Honda Energy Team stormed to an overwhelming victory and tops the general rankings in the process. After two days where navigation was not an issue,… read more.
Monster Energy Honda Team’s Paulo Gonçalves rose to the occasion in a trouble-plagued second stage of the Dakar 2017. Teammates Ricky Brabec and Joan Barreda were among the fastest of the day. Speed, hazards on the track and high temperatures were just some of the factors at play on a… read more.
The riders of the Monster Energy Honda Team, Ricky Brabec, Michael Metge, Paulo Gonçalves and Joan Barreda kicked off proceedings at the Dakar Rally in style; all four occupying positions among the top eight finishers. The long awaited 39 kilometre special stage that gets the Dakar 2017 underway turned out to… read more.
Everything is all set to go. Riders today had the final chance in Asunción to go over the last minute details of the opening few days. Next stop is the final meeting with race authorities followed by the ceremonial starting ramp. Then the real battle for the Dakar Rally 2017… read more.
The four riders of the Monster Energy Honda Team are all set to tackle what looks set to be the toughest ever challenge since the Dakar Rally transferred to South American soil. Over the coming fortnight, 145 bikers can expect a gruelling 9000 kilometre escapade which will feature 12 arduous… read more.
Who is Ricky Brabec? Ricky Brabec’s life took a fairly radical twist as desert racing grew in popularity in the United States. His interest in bike racing, and particularly, desert races, increased quickly and his incredible talent led to rapid progress in riding skills too. It has been an intense… read more.
As the Dakar 2017 looms near, riders from the Monster Energy Honda Team – the official Honda factory team – can rest assured that after each of the gruelling stages, they will be able to put their feet up and relax in the comfort of vehicles supplied, once again, by… read more.
In the battle to conquer the 2017 Dakar Rally, Monster Energy Honda Team line up with the support of several key collaborators. One of these is set to be Acerbis, a brand with strong links to the competition and to rallying. On 2nd January 2017 the five riders of the… read more.
The great transatlantic juggernaut that will shortly haul the team’s hardware from Europe to South America is about to set sail. Destination: the port of Campana to the north of Buenos Aires. The Dakar looms ever closer. In a month’s time all Monster Energy Honda Team’s vehicles will find themselves… read more.
The season’s blue riband event for the Monster Energy Honda Team is, without doubt, the Dakar Rally. Now, thanks to an agreement reached with Garmin, the five team riders will be taking the brand’s equipment along for the world’s toughest ride. The team will be kitted out with the latest… read more.
Monster Energy Honda Team will have to tackle and overcome one of the toughest-ever editions of the Dakar Rally in January 2017. In Paris today (Wednesday) the race organization announced the details of the 39th edition of the Dakar – which has been disputed in South America since 2009 –… read more.
After the races disputed recently in September and October, and as part of the ongoing 2017 Dakar Rally preparations, Team HRC’s rally riders have undergone exhaustive medical check-ups at the prestigious University of Kent. As part of the collaboration between the University of Kent and Honda HRC, the factory riders… read more.
Team HRC Rally today took part in the Rally Dakar 2017 presentation, held in one of the most emblematic places in the city of Barcelona. Three of the Team HRC squad, Spaniard Joan Barreda, Portuguese Paulo Gonçalves and Frenchman Michael Metge were among some of the most sought-after riders at… read more.
Team HRC were present this morning as the route for the forthcoming 39th edition of the Dakar Rally was announced. The race, in South America, will run through Paraguay -new country in this race-, Bolivia and Argentina. Race organisers in Paris outlined how the three capital cities of Paraguay, Bolivia… read more.
The Rally Dakar 2016 is over. Team HRC is packing up to go home with a score still remaining to be settled at the Dakar; one for which the team will go all out to achieve. Now, the data has to be analysed and a year-long project planned, if the… read more.
The Rally Dakar 2016 finished today in Rosario with three Honda riders up amidst rally raid’s elite: Kevin Benavides and Ricky Brabec have proved to be two of the sport’s bright lights for the future. Kevin Benavides of Honda South America Rally Team and Ricky Brabec of Team HRC concluded… read more.
A relatively quiet day for the Team HRC riders as the Dakar 2016 enters the final stretch. Three out of the four factory riders from Team HRC and Honda South America Rally Team are young Dakar rookies chasing down top ten finishes. Ricky Brabec and Paolo Ceci, the Team HRC… read more.
Paulo Gonçalves was forced to retire from the stage between La Rioja and San Juan today after a serious crash that led to the rider being airlifted to safety. The hopes of Team HRC, now without its top riders, rest in the hands of Dakar debutante Ricky Brabec, Paolo Ceci… read more.
Team HRC’s Paulo Gonçalves put yesterday’s marathon stage problems firmly behind him in stage ten of the Dakar 2016. The Portuguese rider finished fourth on the day with American team-mate Ricky Brabec also among the top ten. Argentinean Kevin Benavides from Honda South America Rally Team grabs second place in… read more.
The second marathon stage of the 2016 Rally Dakar showed just how tough the extreme conditions of the race are. Race organizers today decided to cut short the timed special halfway through. The ninth stage held in Fiambalá today was a wretched one. A tough day had been expected and… read more.
As the 2016 Dakar heads towards the second marathon stage, the race has seen a slight reshuffle in the overall standings, yet with Paulo Gonçalves still firmly in contention after today’s very difficult stage. Team HRC on course to achieve their objectives. The Dakar Rally course has now veered off… read more.
The Honda factory team – Team HRC – arrive at the rest day of the Rally Dakar 2016 flying high, with Paulo Goncalves in command at the top of the general standings, ahead of the decisive second week showdown. The sunlight in Salta on the Dakar’s day-off is somewhat deceiving… read more.
The seventh stage of the Dakar Rally 2016 saw no significant changes at the head of the overall leader-board with Paulo Gonçalves topping the table for the fourth day running. Barreda failed to start this morning. It was a rough return to Argentina, after the two-day sojourn in Bolivia. The… read more.
The sixth stage of the 2016 Dakar Rally, battled out around the Uyauni Salt Flats, brought with it bitter news for Team HRC as Joan Barreda sees his options of an overall victory fade. However, Paulo Gonçalves still commands at the head of the general standings after a third-place finish… read more.
All five Team HRC bikes made it through the marathon stage which started out in the Argentine city San Salvador de Jujuy and finished in Uyuni, Bolivia. Paulo Gonçalves remains at the head of the overall standings with Barreda fourth. The good news is that for the first time since… read more.
Joan Barreda and Paulo Gonçalves commanded the fourth special of the Dakar Rally – the first part of the gruelling marathon stage – and are now well-placed at the head of the general standings. Metge, Brabec and Ceci finish well too. Another day of superb results for Team HRC at… read more.
Spectacular third day at the Rally Dakar 2016: the stage through the mountainous Jujuy area ended with a Honda-filled podium and a once-again triumphant Joan Barreda back at the top of the general standings. The third stage of the Rally Dakar proved to be a dream day-out for the three… read more.
The Dakar 2016 finally held its first real stage after yesterday’s cancellation. Paulo Goncalves pulled back positions finishing in sixth place and Joan Barreda, who opened the track, came home behind his Team HRC colleague. The huge storm that blasted the riders during the first special stage yesterday –… read more.
After yesterday’s sweltering 40 degrees in Rosario, today nature whipped up a lighting storm bad enough that race organisers were forced to cancel the first stage citing safety concerns. Riders thus head straight towards the bivouac situated in Villa Carlos Paz. Today there was no action on the track. The… read more.
The Rally Dakar 2016 roared into action today with Joan Barreda giving a fine display of speed to take the triumph in the 11 kilometre prologue stage in the north of Buenos Aires. The Dakar curtain-raiser saw a great turnout from the Argentinean crowd who gave the competitors a warm… read more.
Team HRC made the most of a day off in Buenos Aires today after a busy couple of days of final preparations which culminated with the entry of the vehicles into the parc ferme. The five Team HRC riders spent New Year’s Day relaxing before taking up the great challenge… read more.
With the technical and administrative tests completed the team can now look forward to a New Year’s Day morning of final preparations before the event’s curtain-raiser takes place on the January 2. The Dakar Rally is all set to begin. Team HRC too. The riders, mechanics, technical crew and the… read more.
The countdown to the start of the Dakar 2016 continues with the riders and technical staff of Team HRC having now made the journey to South America. Over the coming days, the team will focus on the final preparations for the bikes with the world’s toughest race due to get… read more.
The details of the Rally Dakar 2016 have been unveiled in Paris and the race looks set to be a tough prospect. The Team HRC riders will go into the rally favourites to take overall victory. With less than a month and a half to go until the Dakar fires… read more.
Seven stage victories, leaders for half the rally, overall runner-up place for Paulo Gonçalves and ninth spot for Laia Sanz, add up to a more-than-positive final report-card for Honda and Team HRC at the Rally Dakar 2015. The team will be back next year to win. Just one day after… read more.
The Dakar 2015 ends after circling the loop and ending up back in Buenos Aires a fortnight later, bringing new successes for Team HRC. Paulo Goncalves finishes the world’s toughest rally in second place, while Laia Sanz breaks new ground with an unprecedented ninth place overall finish. After picking up the… read more.
As the Dakar draws towards its conclusion, the final push to secure podium places continues. The penultimate stage sees Paulo Gonçalves defend his overall second. Barreda finishes the stage second, as Laia seals tenth spot on the day and eighth in the general rankings. Paulo Gonçalves has refused to throw… read more.
A fourth win for Joan Barreda brings the Honda CRF450 RALLY a seventh triumph in the Dakar 2015. The Spanish athlete, first away this morning after yesterday’s marathon stage win, was also first to cross the finish-line in the Circuit of Termas de Río Hondo. Barreda, who has clearly put… read more.
Joan Barreda accelerates his way to a third win in the Dakar 2015 as the tenth stage concludes in Cachi, Argentina. Paulo Gonçalves holds second place outright, and Laia enjoys eighth overall. With six out of a possible ten stage victories, the Honda CRF450 RALLY has been the runaway winner… read more.
Immediate Team HRC response to yesterday’s ill-fated eighth Dakar stage, with four Honda CRF450 RALLY bikes occupying the first five positions. Portuguese Helder Rodrigues triumphant in the tough special stage in Calama. Great day all round for Team HRC, registering a fifth victory so far in this edition of the… read more.
Laia Sanz continues to break Dakar records claiming highest female finish in any stage of the rally’s history, posting fifth place. Paulo Gonçalves finishes the special after overcoming various setbacks on the Uyuni salt lake, which sees the Portuguese rider move up to second place overall. After enduring the rain,… read more.
Team HRC keeps options wide-open in Bolivia as a lightning Paulo Gonçalves claims 7th stage honours. Epic stage finish for Joan Barreda, who breaks handlebars in a fall and yet fights on to retain leadership. Portuguese Paulo Gonçalves was victorious as the Dakar 2015 riders rolled into Uyuni, Bolivia with… read more.
The Rally Dakar finishes the first week of competition with the Hondas of Team HRC firmly entrenched in leading positions. Barreda and the CRF450 RALLY occupy top-spot. Team HRC arrives at Iquique for the rest-day in cracking form with no less than three Honda CRF450 RALLY riders in the top… read more.
Helder Rodrigues pulls out all the stops and takes a well-deserved win in a decisive sixth stage of the Rally Dakar 2015. Team HRC make it to Dakar’s first rest-day with a highly impressive first week scorecard. Helder Rodrigues stepped back into the limelight today proving himself to be the… read more.
Joan Barreda accomplishes the mission of fending off challengers in the fifth stage of the Rally Dakar 2015. The Spaniard aboard the Honda CRF450 RALLY keeps his distance from his closest rival, as fellow Team HRC members also remain among the front-runners. The caravan continued to snake its way across… read more.
Joan Barreda widens the gap at the head of the overall standings on clinching the fourth stage at Dakar 2015. A notable 6th place for Javier Pizzolito of HSA Rally Team, and 8th for Laia Sanz as the rally crosses into Chile. The Dakar took to the mountains today, the… read more.
No change in the overall standings today, after Team HRC riders Joan Barreda and Paulo Gonçalves had established themselves as race leaders at the end of yesterday’s infernal stage. All five team members finished in the top sixteen. It turned out to be a positive outing for Joan Barreda and… read more.
Monumental second stage result at the Rally Dakar 2015 for Joan Barreda and Paulo Gonçalves, fastest against the clock as they wage an arduous battle against the high temperatures in an interminable special. Joan Barreda, Paulo Gonçalves, and the Honda CRF450 RALLYs turned out to be the day’s protagonists, in… read more.
Countdown. Revs up. Clutch out. And with a roar the Dakar Rally exploded into life today. With three riders finishing the special in the top six, the race for Team HRC is most definitely underway. Yesterday, was a chance for the riders to lap up a warm welcome from the… read more.
Team HRC are all fired up and ready to roll, as the first stage of the Rally Dakar kicks off tomorrow. The two official Honda teams; Team HRC, and HSA Rally Team, set out their intentions today in a press conference in Buenos Aires presided over by HRC vice-chairman Shuhei Nakamoto. The team’s action-hungry… read more.
And off we go…. In less than forty-eight hours, the Argentine air will reverberate to the chorus of motorcycle engines, as the Dakar Rally roars into life. Team HRC, meanwhile, has successfully passed the scrutineering that precedes the event. The 2015 edition of the Rally Dakar will fire up on… read more.
All Team HRC riders that will compete in the 2015 edition of the Dakar Rally will be officially presented in Buenos Aires on January 3. With them will also be the members of Honda South America Rally Team. The Team HRC and Honda South America Rally Team will be… read more.
Team HRC’s five official riders, and various team members have taken part in a special training session prior to the Rally Dakar 2015. This will be the final revision done before the great test commences. The Rally Dakar is all set to get underway in just ten days time… read more.
This season Team HRC hooks up with a new name, and one which packs a hard punch too. But this time round, it’s not another rider who will be joining the ranks, but rather a team collaborator of a different kind: KH-7, who like Honda, will not only bring some… read more.
Team HRC was in attendance today in Paris, for the official presentation of the forthcoming 2015 edition of the Rally Dakar due to head out from Buenos Aires on January 4. The world’s toughest race looks set to be even more demanding than usual for both bikes and riders. … read more.
