Throughout history, only a few have managed to secure more than one title at the Dakar, and now, Ricky Brabec has joined that exclusive group of riders in the 2024 edition. His seventh-place finish in the 12th and final stage was enough to clinch the victory with a lead of 10 minutes and 53 seconds over Ross Branch (Hero MotoSports).
Emotional, the American from Monster Energy Honda told the official Dakar website: ‘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 – 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’.
When asked to compare it with the victory in 2020, Brabec commented: ‘It’s 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 [van Beveren] got, but it’s been a tight race and ten minutes is not a big gap here on the rally. It’s been tight’.
Finally, the rider stated: ‘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’.