Dakar 2024: Monster Energy Honda Set for Grueling Endurance Rally

The 2024 Dakar Rally is set to captivate the motorsport world as attention turns to this gruelling off-road race. The Monster Energy Honda Team is at the front of the pack and has an outstanding group of riders. Mexican rider Jose Ignacio Cornejo is hell-bent on getting a podium finish, and American Ricky Brabec is among them. Brabec is the only American to win the Dakar. American sensation Skyler Howes, fresh off his incredible third-place showing in 2023, is gunning for glory. Team strength is further enhanced by the addition of Spanish rider Tosha Schareina, who has just won the Argentine Desafio Ruta 40. 

From legendary riders like Cyril Neveu to more modern stars like Ricky Brabec and Kevin Benavides, Honda has a long and illustrious history of dominating the Dakar Rally, which dates back to 1982. All things considered, the Monster Energy Honda Team is once again in a position to take a thrilling shot at the precious metal.

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Dakar Rally 2024

The forthcoming Dakar Rally edition is going to take the level of difficulty to new heights. A 48-hour chrono stage is one of many challenging lengthy stages that participants will have to endure. Participants in this endurance race must be able to traverse the course without the aid of outside sources. The course has been meticulously designed with 60% new sections, so even the most experienced racers will face fresh challenges. The mammoth journey will begin on January 5th with a 28km prologue, marking the beginning of the event that will span an astounding 7,967km in total.

Ruben Faria, General Manager of Monster Energy Honda Team said: “The 2024 Dakar Rally will be really tough as what David Castera (Director, Dakar Rally) has done is make the stages longer and tougher than 2023. He’s introduced new ideas including the 48-hour chrono stage which will see the riders supplied with just basic rations and just a tent and sleeping bag plus there’ll be no campers, no mechanics and all in the middle of a 600-kilometre stage, so it’ll be very difficult."

"The riders have tested the new Honda CRF450 RALLY early during 2023 and all the riders have enjoyed riding it during testing too. We had a very successful test before the Rallye Du Maroc in October before our riders teamed up with each other meaning Adrien and Tosha went to Morocco, Ricky and Skyler trained in the USA and Pablo and Nacho rode at home in Chile. We also had a test in early December too so I’m happy that all our riders are in good shape with no injuries on a new bike that we believe will perform well,” he added.

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About Dakar Rally

The Dakar Rally is a yearly off-road endurance race that takes place in difficult terrains. It was initially scheduled to go from Paris to Dakar, but now other countries also host it. A hard route is navigated by participants, who include motorcyclists, car drivers, and truck drivers, testing their resilience, ability, and endurance.

Expect a more challenging Dakar Rally in 2024. Adding an extra level of difficulty to the race, the new '48-hour chrono' stage in Saudi Arabia's Empty Quarter requires participants to brave nightly bivouacs without the benefit of communication. At the halfway mark, there is an intensive stage, and then there are six more days of chaos.