Honda Riders Battle On in South Africa After Schareina Exit

Tosha Schareina exits the Safari Rally after injury as Brabec, Van Beveren, and Howes fight to stay in contention.

Stage two of the 2025 World Rally-Raid Championship’s South African Safari Rally delivered a harsh reminder of how unforgiving this sport can be. The big shake-up came early—Tosha Schareina, second in the championship standings, was forced to withdraw after a crash left him with a hand injury. His absence leaves a noticeable gap in the Monster Energy Honda HRC squad and tightens the fight at the top.

But the rally waits for no one. With 623 km of demanding terrain to cover, riders left Sun City and charged into the wild toward the marathon camp near Stella. The flat savannah landscape may look tame from afar, but fast tracks and invisible lines turned this stage into a test of focus and resilience.

Ricky Brabec started strong, defending his podium spot with determination. A navigation slip after refuelling cost him over a minute, dropping him to fourth overall. Still, finishing the stage third fastest shows he’s very much in the hunt.

Adrien Van Beveren had a tougher task—taking over as lead rider early in the day. Locked gates and hidden paths made his ride anything but smooth, but the organisers credited him for lost time. He still holds third overall and remains a podium threat.

Skyler Howes, looking to rebound from earlier navigation struggles, showed improved form. Despite a few missteps along the fence lines, he finished fifth and continues to climb the leaderboard.

With no team mechanics allowed at the marathon camp, riders had just 30 minutes to service their bikes—under pressure, under the stars, and under the eyes of their competitors. The next stage promises even greater difficulty, especially in navigation, but Honda’s trio seems ready to dig deeper.

The rally has lost a title contender, but the fight is far from over. And with the toughest stage still ahead, everything is still up for grabs in South Africa.