Ricky Brabec Triumphs in Stage 6 of Dakar Rally, Closing In on Overall Leader
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – In a strong performance during Stage 6 of the 2026 Dakar Rally, American rider Ricky Brabec (Monster Energy/Honda HRC) secured his 12th stage win, finishing the day in first place. Brabec crossed the finish line ahead of teammate Tosha Schareina by 1:14 and KTM’s Daniel Sanders by 1:17. This victory brings Brabec within 45 seconds of Sanders for the overall lead, with cumulative times of 24:41:00 and 24:21:45, respectively.
The stage win was aided by a 6-minute penalty assessed to Sanders for a speeding infraction, shifting the dynamic in the overall standings dramatically.
Brabec commented on his demanding day, which included a grueling 920 kilometers and over twelve hours of riding: “My ass is a little bit raw; my eyes are a little bit heavy – but happy to make it to Rest Day.” He highlighted the importance of the upcoming rest period, stating, “The mechanics are going to work on the bikes. We’re going to do some laundry, eat some good food… get some rest. And then compare our notes for the second half of the Dakar Rally.”
In addition to Brabec’s success, rookie Preston Campbell recorded a notable performance, finishing 4th in Stage 6 and maintaining his lead in the Rally2 category.
As the competitors prepare for the upcoming challenges, the Monster Energy/Honda HRC team aims to capitalize on this positive momentum during the remainder of the rally.
