After crashing out of contention of Day 5 of last year’s Dakar Rally, Husqvarna Factory Racing Skyler Howes returns to the Saudi Arabian desert with something to prove… and a successful season of FIM World Rally-Raid Championship competition under his belt. “I’m super excited for Dakar 2023,” he exclaims. “The rule changes we’ll have, the longer format, and the tough navigation they are promising, that all suits me and my style well.”
The traditional New Year’s start won’t be a walk in the park, despite suiting his style. “It’s going to be tough, that’s for sure, but I’m ready to give it everything I have. It’s all in the past now, but I guess things started out pretty rough for me this season – having to withdraw from the Dakar on stage five was obviously a big blow and it took a long time to recover. I went into Abu Dhabi way less than 100% but was able to finish the event. After that things started to turn around – I took the win at the Silver State 300 and the Vegas to Reno races, which was great. But then the victory at the Rallye du Maroc was on another level. It was my first world championship win, and something I had dreamed about my whole career.
“Those results, along with all the testing I’ve done with the team and the development to the bike, man I’m going into the 2023 Dakar full of confidence. My own personal training has been going really well, too… I’m really excited for Dakar 2023.”
