It’s official. Brabec has gained it. He’s performed it twice now. He’s the Dakar 2024 Champion. After a grueling 12 levels, Ricky Brabec has secured yet one more championship since his total win in 2020. 

He commanded a snug lead stepping into the final stage. His consistency served him effectively all through the Rally. Starting from stage six, he discovered himself on the high of the leaderboards, although he hadn’t gained a stage at that time. Following that, it was constant efficiency after efficiency as Brabec pulled away from the remainder of the competitors. 

The Monster Energy Honda Team, with Brabec, was in a position to lock down the lead place. Going into the ultimate spherical, solely a mere end was wanted to get the highest spot. Hats off to Honda as effectively for securing two podium spots. The Hero Motosports Team discovered itself between two reds when the mud settled. 

Ross Branch, Ricky Brabec, Adrien Van Beveren

Brabec secured first place, and Ross Branch put up a valiant combat in opposition to and managed a second-place end. Adrien Van Beveren had a couple of minute and a half between Branch, solely tailing Branch by a couple of minute and a half. If you have a look at the splits, Brabec just about had this within the bag, with about 11 minutes (10 minutes and 53 seconds) separating him from Branch. 

During the first few rounds of the rally, Branch put out win after win with the general lead going to him by the start of stage six. Even if Branch claimed headlines at the beginning of the Rally, he was nonetheless in a position to produce an excellent end result amid competitors heating up in direction of the latter a part of the rally. Branch said after the ultimate stage: “The challenge is to better myself and come back stronger next year.” 

Ross Branch

Adrien Van Beveren

This additionally marks the second time that Brabec has gained the Dakar Rally. His first total win got here in 2020 and 4 years later, he will get to rejoice as soon as once more. 

“It’s a nice way to start the year with a victory. It wasn’t easy. The course was really tough. The competition was tough. Ross and my own team kept me on my toes, but not just me, I think we were keeping everyone on each other’s toes. It was definitely a fight to the end for everyone. I’m really happy we’re all here and all safe and we can go home. Overall, it was a good rally. This time was a little bit different. I feel like this one was more earned. This time was a lot tougher. In 2020, we had a big gap from the get-go. Here, I think me and Ross spent three days with a couple of seconds difference. It was a tight race for all of us. I think between first and third there are eleven minutes or something, whatever Adrien got, but it’s been a tight race and ten minutes is not a big gap here on the rally. It’s been tight. I had two good days, two opportunities to make a good push, but also stage 11 was a scare factor for me because I knew Ross was starting behind me, 18 minutes behind, and if he caught me it would be over. Stage 11 was hard for me, but I stayed focused, got to the finishing line and didn’t lose too much time, so I’m really happy with this and I’m really happy for the team. I’m happy for all of us, we did an excellent job all of the two weeks. I think number 9 will be my lucky number from now on.”