Monster Energy Honda Team’s American rider Ricky Brabec took the top honours in Mexico’s Sonora Rally, one of the Dakar Challenge races, where he dominated the four stages.
The Monster Energy Honda Team’s campaign is off and running! The Sonora Rally, disputed in the Mexican desert, was the race of choice for a team eager to get the rally season underway in a year with very high expectations.
After making it through the tests and technical scrutineering, the Honda CRF450 RALLY emblazoned with the number three of Ricky Brabec, set off on a four-stage 1318 kilometre rally. The first half of the rally was battled out between Punta Peñasco and Puerto Libertad, with various timed special stages of over three hundred kilometres apiece. Ricky Brabec commanded throughout each and every sector and was head and shoulders above the rest of the field.
The team, managed by Taichi Honda with the collaboration of American Honda and Johnny Campbell’s JCR Honda, then transferred to San Luís Río Colorado to dispute the final stretch of the rally, leaving the track behind as the race took to the dunes. An outstanding Brabec shone throughout, opening the track and navigating at a cracking pace to wrap up the race with a substantial gap over rivals. Moreover, the rider was clearly feeling at ease back on the Honda CRF450 RALLY bike for the first time since the Dakar 2017 adventure, which saw Brabec retire shortly before the race finish.
Monster Energy Honda Team is due to continue its programme with the participation of Portuguese rider Paulo Gonçalves and Argentinean Kevin Benavides in the first round of the FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship, set to take place in Abu Dhabi from 1st to 6th April.
Ricky Brabec
It was my first time here at Sonora. The last few days were pretty challenging in the sand dunes. It was good practice for me to open everyday. I think that with a full-year of training and doing this stuff will be good to prepare for the Dakar. The race was smooth for us and for the team. The roadbook was very technical, which was a good challenge. I don’t think that there were any injuries, so we are ready for the rest of the year.
Taichi Honda
The Sonora Rally has been a great test which means it has provided the team with a lot of good data, in this the first rally of the season that will culminate with the Dakar 2018. Ricky did a really good job, it's a pity that Joan couldn't be here. It has been very good training for Ricky; he navigated well and he had to work very hard to open the track everyday. Without doubt, it has been good preparation towards the next Dakar. The team will continue to work along this line.
Sonora Rally 2017 Results
| Pos. | Rider | Num | Nation | Team | Constructor | Time/Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brabec Ricky | USA | Monster Energy Honda HRC | Honda | 15:15'56 | |
| 2 | Samuels Mark | USA | OX Motorsports | Honda | 16:24'29 | |
| 4 | Pearson David | USA | Pearson Racing | KTM | 22:08'51 | |
| 5 | Hatswell Rick | USA | Rally Management Team | KTM | 23:38'17 |
Location Information
San Luis Río Colorado, Sonora, Mexico - View in Google Maps
