Ricky Brabec exits Dakar Rally with broken engine
By Press Release on 16th Jan 19
The brutality of the Dakar Rally showed its face to the Monster Energy Honda Team as Ricky Brabec was forced out on stage eight. Nacho Cornejo opened the track throughout almost the entire special and Benavides got delayed with navigational issues.
It was an endless, troublesome day for the Monster Energy Honda Team who suffered the harshness of the Dakar Rally, particularly for Ricky Brabec, who was forced to abandon the race while still holding top spot in the general standings.
It was a shame, but I will go away happy with the good pace that I have set in this Dakar. I will return with even more motivation next year, stated the American as he arrived back at the Pisco bivouac.
The eighth stage, the Super-Ica, got underway with a mixed car and bike start which saw Nacho Cornejo and Ricky Brabec head out onto an open track with the pair both intent on obtaining crucial results in the special.
Nacho was forced to open the way and was lumbered with the weight of opening throughout almost the whole day. Despite the handicap Cornejo performed valiantly on a high-speed, error-free ride to wrap up the day with the eighth fastest time.
Kevin Benavides had to endure a problem with the navigation equipment during the 361-kilometre special, which delayed the rider considerably. The Argentine is sixth in the race overall.
Today (Wednesday) sees the penultimate stage of this 2019 Dakar Rally which will once again be held on a looping circuit, this time from Pisco. There race will include 313 kilometres of timed special stage out of a total of 410 kilometres on the day.
Ricky Brabec: "It was a really hard day. There was nothing really positive about my day, especially for the race. The coolest part was getting a helicopter ride along the beach and back. Its heart-wrenching. Not easy.
"We have to go home, take a break and come back. Im at a loss for words. It was amazing to be on the top for the previous days. Its really nice to have the team support me and the whole team. It felt like the vibes and the confidence in me were good. That helped me to achieve so many great days."
More like this…
Monster Energy Honda Team finishes the Dakar 2019
Nacho Cornejo narrowly missed out on a maiden stage victory on the 10th and final day of the 2019 Dakar Rally.
Yamalube Yamaha rally riders battle through challenging Stage Eight of Dakar
Battling through a physically demanding stage eight of the Dakar Rally, both Yamalube Yamaha Rally team riders have reached the Pisco bivouac and now look ahead to the last two days of racing in the Peruvian countryside.
