Strong start from Ricky Brabec and Joan Barreda in the 2021 Dakar

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 in the vicinity of Jeddah, proved to be a tough one in terms of navigation, on a route that took in some mountainous tracks as well as more open, faster stretches.

Some riders opted for more prudent tactics, waiting to make their mark in tomorrow’s first full stage, however current Dakar Rally title holder, American Ricky Brabec wasn’t holding back in his first contact with the Saudi desert. Brabec set the best time of the 101 motorcycle participants in this edition of the Dakar to become the first leader of the race. The prologue had a factor 4 (time x 4) for the general standings of the race.

Behind him, Monster Energy Honda Team squad-mate, Joan Barreda, was the first of the team’s four riders, notching up an excellent time, some six seconds shy of Brabec.

Argentinean rider Kevin Benavides took the conservative option. Setting a good pace, he was able to mingle with the front-runners and tomorrow will tackle the stage from an optimal start position. José Ignacio Cornejo was also riding in cautious mode, attempting not to make any errors interpreting the roadbook. The Chilean registered times not far off the day’s fastest rider and his start position tomorrow will allow him to go on the attack.

Tomorrow, Sunday, sees the first stage of the Dakar 2021, which will be contested entirely on-track between Jeddah and Bisha. Competitors can expect 277 kilometres of special timed out of a 622-kilometre total trek. The route will pass through several valleys with several sections requiring deft roadbook reading skills. Some of the stony sections could prove detrimental to the tyres.