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Dakar Rally 2023 - The Story So Far
Jan 102023
It was billed as the toughest Dakar in recent history, a route even more harsh than usual that would test the athletes to the very limit.
That was no exaggeration. As the world’s most iconic off-road rally reached its halfway point it gave the racers and teams chance to take a deep breath and refuel for what is going to be an epic final five stages in Saudi Arabia.
No fewer than seven Monster Energy-backed riders lined up at the start line on December 31, and there’s been plenty of ups and downs after eight gruelling stages. Here’s the story so far…
Ricky Brabec became the first American to take Dakar gold back in 2020 and he started the race with a bang, taking the win in Stage One for the Honda Rally Team.
Unfortunately Ricky’s rally was ended early after having a big crash on Stage Three, which saw the guys take on sand, mud, rocks and severe rain in what was a brutal day. Ricky was airlifted to hospital but after some examinations he was cleared to return to the bivouac with the team and prepare to head home, with nothing broken.
Stage Four was less hectic as the route took the riders back through the desert and to the relative comfort of sand, and that suited our man Joan Barreda who charged to victory in a Monster Energy one-two with Pablo Quintanilla.
Dakar legend Joan is flying a solo mission this year as the Monster Energy JB Team - backed by Honda - and it was no surprise to see him back at the top of the rankings.
On to Stage Five and more demanding terrain, this time 374km of small dunes with camel grass that put both men and machine through their paces - but another one-two.
