The 47th edition of the Dakar Rally got underway with a timed 29km prologue stage near Bisha in Saudi Arbaia as the world’s best rally raid riders focused on their goal of finishing in the top ten so that they could choose their starting positions for stage one tomorrow.
The longer prologue featured rocky passes and riverbed tracks with American Skyler Howes first off the line for Monster Energy Honda HRC. Returning from injury he finished the stage in eighth less than a minute off the quickest time of 16’51”. His fellow American, defending champion Ricky Brabec, was slightly disappointed with his third place, just 18 seconds off the best time as next up was 2024’s prologue king, Tosha Schareina who had to navigate around some slower cars on the route.
Following behind were the experienced Dakar Legends Pablo Quintanilla, who rode a steady 29 kilometres without taking any risks and then Adrien Van Beveren in seventh who was glad to get the action started and release some of the pre-rally pressure he was feeling. It was mission accomplished for Monster Energy Honda HRC as all the riders will now get to choose their places in the start line order for tomorrow’s stage when they are back at the Bisha bivouac this evening.
There will be nearly 500km of riding on stage one, 413km of it against the clock over a mixture of terrain on a southern loop from Bisha; stony sections, sand and tricky navigation amongst the labyrinth of tracks will put them through their paces as they also strategise for the upcoming 48 Hour Chrono.
That second 48 hour stage over two days is one of the hardest tests in any form of motorsport with all competitors sleeping out under the stars with simple rations for overnight food, but Monster Energy Honda HRC are the reigning ‘champions’ of the 48 Hour Chrono after Adrien Van Beveren won it last year.
