Brabec Secures Third Place in Stage 1 of Dakar Rally 2026
YANBU, Saudi Arabia – The 2026 Dakar Rally commenced with Stage 1, which saw Ricky Brabec of Monster Energy/Honda HRC capture a commendable third place, matching his Prologue performance. He completed the grueling 305 km Special stage trailing only behind KTM riders Edgar Canet and defending champion Daniel Sanders.
Despite initial reports claiming Ross Branch, riding for Hero Motosports, clocked the fastest time, he was subsequently penalized for speeding, relegating him to seventh place with a six-minute time penalty.
Brabec reflected on his performance, stating, “It’s the first official stage at Dakar – and I’m exactly where I want to be. You don’t want to open up too early, but you don’t want to start in the back. I’m happy where I’m at. Overall, the team’s looking good. The mechanics are doing a good job.”
Supporting Brabec, teammate Skyler Howes finished 10th in the RallyGP class, while rookie Preston Campbell showcased his potential with a seventh-place finish in Rally2.
Temperatures in Yanbu have remained steady in the mid-80s under full sun, presenting additional challenges for competitors.
With Brabec leading the American contingent, Monster Energy/Honda HRC is poised for a strong rally as they head into the subsequent stages.
