Two-Second Heartbreak for Brabec in Historic Dakar Finale

Ricky Brabec misses out on Dakar victory by just two seconds in a historic final stage, as Monster Energy Honda HRC still secures a podium with strong performances from Schareina, Howes and Van Beveren.

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Monster Energy Honda HRC closed out one of the most dramatic Dakars in history with a podium finish in Yanbu, as Ricky Brabec narrowly missed out on victory by a heartbreaking two seconds in the closest finale the rally has ever seen.

The American entered the final day with a commanding 3’20” lead over his closest rival, Luciano Benavides, after delivering a crucial stage win on the penultimate day. With only 105 competitive kilometres remaining, Brabec knew that being first on the road came with a significant disadvantage, no tracks to follow and total responsibility for navigation across unfamiliar terrain.

The last special stage was split into two timed sections, connected by a liaison. Riders first faced technical, winding mountain valley trails that demanded precision and composure before transitioning onto faster coastal tracks skirting the Red Sea toward the Yanbu bivouac. Brabec started strongly, controlling his pace and reading the terrain with confidence, but a costly navigation error just seven kilometres from the finish proved decisive. Those lost seconds were enough to tip the scales in Benavides’ favour and deny Brabec a third Dakar title.

After 4,737 gruelling kilometres and 49 hours, 41 minutes of racing, Brabec brought his campaign to a bittersweet close. He claimed two stage wins in 2026, taking his career tally to 13, but ultimately finished second overall, left to reflect on how narrowly he missed another Dakar triumph.

His teammate, Tosha Schareina, ended the rally on a high, securing a podium finish on the final stage and sealing third overall. The Spaniard had entered the event as one of the pre-race favourites, but a ten-minute penalty on the first marathon stage forced him into damage-control mode early on. Instead of crumbling under pressure, Schareina responded with three stage victories and a relentless second-week comeback that ultimately placed him alongside Brabec on the podium in Yanbu.

Skyler Howes’ Dakar was a tale of resilience. A tyre issue on the opening marathon stage derailed his early hopes, yet the American refused to fade. He grew stronger as the rally progressed, capped his campaign with his first-ever Dakar stage win, and finished a commendable fourth overall in the opening round of the World Rally-Raid Championship.

Adrien Van Beveren endured a tougher edition of the Dakar. His first week was riddled with setbacks, a crash, a metal wire embedded in his wheel on stage five, and struggles to find a consistent rhythm. However, the Frenchman regrouped in the second half of the rally. Once fully in sync with his Honda CRF450 RALLY, he claimed victory on stage ten and delivered steady, competitive performances to secure sixth overall.

With the dust now settled on Saudi Arabia, the Monster Energy Honda HRC squad will take a deserved break before turning their attention to the next challenge: Rally-Raid Portugal from 17 to 22 March.