After finishing Top American on several stages of the 2022 Dakar Rally, Skyler Howes has crashed out and is headed home. Dealernews went to our in-house Dakar expert Scot Harden for an update and some insight on what happened: The news coming out of Dakar isn't so good. It looks like the top American in the rally Skyler Howes has withdrawn after suffering a major crash in Stage 5. I'm trying to get more details, but fortunately it does not look like the injuries are super serious. However having lost close to 4 hours as a result of the crash and with the prospect of a top finish out of reach it looks like the team and Skyler are thinking more long term.
Since I first met Skyler several years ago and after getting to know him the last few years, you could not meet a more committed, determined, courteous and professional off-road racer. He's the kind of guy it's easy to wish good things for (the same can be said for all the U.S. riders). Skyler's crash goes to show just how dangerous and tenuous Dakar and rally racing can be. So many miles, so much time on the bike, so many risks it's amazing to think there aren't more major incidents than there are.
I tell people racing a rally bike is like racing a 400lb motorcycle at top speed across desert you've never seen before for 8 hours a day while playing a video game and reading an encyclopedia. What could go wrong? Turns out a lot. Wishing all the other riders safe passage.
The race for the overall did not change much with Sunderland still leading followed by Walkner and Van Beveren. The Honda team and Ricky had a very good day with Ricky taking 4th in the stage and taking some time back on the overall. Mason Klein had another brilliant day finishing in 6th with Andrew Short right behind in 7th.
See Daily Dakar updates on Dealernews' Facebook page and check out Scot Harden's Dakar preview in the current issue:
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