It may have been the shortest day of the 2024 Dakar Rally, but the HRC Honda / Monster Energy team made some big moves on Stage 4. Nacho Cornejo and Top American Ricky Brabec went 1-2 to KO the competition and take over the lead. Cornejo captured the 8th Stage win of his career, beating Brabec to the finish by a tick under 3 minutes. The Chilean replaced Ross Branch in overall standings, while Brabec made up another minute in the overall elapsed time and is now less than 5 minutes behind his teammate.
“Stage 4 was good! It was the shortest one yet,” said Brabec. “I was happy to have a shorter day. We’re at the bivouac an hour earlier than we have been, so that’s also nice and it gives the mechanics some more time to work on the bikes. I was second on the road which definitely wasn’t easy as navigation is really tricky this year. It can catch you off guard quickly so if you’re not on your toes from sunrise to sunset then it really can throw you.”
By leading out Brabec was able to collect some bonus time. The former Dakar winner accumulated a minute in bonuses on the 299 km special stage as he opened the way with Kevin Benavides on what promised to be a day with very tricky navigation.”
By entering the bivouac early, Brabec can get to sleep earlier… and he will need it! Although it’s only 118 km against the clock in the dunes, Stage 5 calls for a very early start and will see the riders covering a 527 km road section as they head towards the Red Sea and the city of Shubaytah.
“Tomorrow’s stage five is a sand dune day, it’s a short one but it’ll be a long day in the saddle with the liaison. It’s going to be an interesting next three days, everyone in the team is doing a great job and I’m looking forward to getting to the end of this rally.
DAKAR RALLY 2024 PROVISIONAL STANDINGS AFTER STAGE 4
Pos. Rider Num Nation Team Time/Gap
1 CORNEJO, José Ignacio "Nacho" 11 CHI Monster Energy Honda Team 17H 27' 13"
2 BRANCH, Ross 16 BWA Hero Motorsports Team Rally +01.15
3 BRABEC, Ricky 9 USA Monster Energy Honda Team +04.56
4 BENAVIDES, Kevin 1 ARG Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team +20.39
5 VAN BEVEREN, Adrien 42 FRA Monster Energy Honda Team +22.30
6 BENAVIDES, Luciano 77 ARG Husqvarna Factory Racing +31.11
7 QUINTANILLA, Pablo 7 CHI Monster Energy Honda Team +31.44
8 PRICE, Toby 18 AUS Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team +34.54
9 MICHEK, Martin 10 CZE Orion Moto Racing Group +38.11
10 SANDERS, Daniel 4 AUS Gas Gas Factory Team +39.43
12 HOWES, Skyler 10 USA Monster Energy Honda Team +10.05
