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 (Saudi Arabia). American Ricky Brabec was the stage winner on a day where all team riders were in the spotlight.
With this result, Brabec – the 2020 Dakar winner – gets into first position in the overall standings. Pablo Quintanilla (Chile) was seventh, Adrien Van Beveren (France) was ranked ninth and José Ignacio Cornejo – who had the hard mission to open the stage – finished in 10th place in this first stage.
Tomorrow the second stage from this year’s Dakar Rally will leave the Sea Camp in the direction of Al-Ula. This special stage will have 430 kilometers of closed tracks demanding great handling skills, so riders will get mainly dirt tracks (59%), stones (26%) and just a little taste of sand (14% sand tracks and one percent of dunes). Besides this competitive section, there is also another 159 kilometers of liaison. Navigation will be key as participants reach the splendid canyons and beautiful landscapes near the finish. According to the ASO organisation, the stage will be decided on the dunes, with some of the majestic Nabataean temples visible on the landscape.
Ruben Faria
General Manager
I know we are just starting, but I have to say I feel really proud of our team. All riders performed incredibly well and the results are there. All the team is feeling good and are doing the right steps. We have been here before and will continue to fight for consistency in the days to come.
Ricky Brabec
Goal number one was not to open the stage. I feel quite well and confident after today, but I will just try to go day by day, keep pace and stay in the Top 10. It’s going to be hard to be out of the lead - like we saw today - but we have to see how it goes until the rest day. Today was fairly simple, no stress, it was a great day!
2023 World Rally Raid Championship Sunday, January 1st 2023
Stage Round WORLD1 Dakar Rally 2023
Pos. Rider Num Nation Team Constructor Time/Gap
1 BRABEC Ricky 2 USA Monster Energy Honda Team Honda 03h31m10s
2 BENAVIDES Kevin 1 ARG Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team KTM 03h31m54s
3 KLEIN Mason 43 USA BAS DAKAR KTM RACING TEAM KTM 03h31m54s
4 BARREDA Joan 5 AND Monster Energy Joan Barreda Team Honda 03h32m20s
5 PRICE Toby 18 AUS Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team KTM 03h31m10s
6 SANDERS Daniel 4 AUS Gas Gas Factory Team Gas Gas 03h32m59s
7 QUINTANILLA Pablo 7 CHI Monster Energy Honda Team Honda 03h33m07s
8 HOWES Skyler 5 USA Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Husqvarna 03h34m17s
9 VAN BEVEREN Adrien 42 FRA Monster Energy Honda Team Honda 03h34m57s
11 CORNEJO José Ignacio 11 CHI Monster Energy Honda Team Honda 03h37m25s
Monster Energy Honda Team