Ricky Brabec played Stage 9 of the Dakar Rally to perfection. By keeping main rival Ross Branch close yesterday, the Californian was on the attack in the rolling dunes, finishing just behind Monster Energy Honda teammate Adrien Van Beveren on adjusted time and stretching his lead overall by 7 minutes in what could be the turning point at this year’s Dakar. Honda made it a clean sweep with veteran Pablo Quintanilla playing wingman to Brabec and Van Beveran.
Despite his initial frustration yesterday at having to be third off the line today, Van Beveren started strong and never looked back, quickly dispatching stage opener Kevin Benavides and running first on the road for almost 400 km. Although having to slow towards the end to find the correct route, his reward was a sizable chunk in bonuses — more than five and a half minutes — which put him ahead of Brabec who actually achieved the best time of the Stage… a strategy that made the former Dakar winner happy. “I’ve got a teammate in front of me and behind me for Stage 10… we are looking strong.”
The timing couldn’t be better. “Today was possibly one of my only shots to make a big push and try to make a bit bigger gap than 40 or 50 seconds so I gave it my all today,” said Brabec. “I think tomorrow we’re probably going to have to open but if I can clean up I think we’ll be set free. In the 2020 Dakar I pulled a gap early on and this has definitely been the most stressful race of my life because it’s so close. Anyway, with a few more days to go, let’s keep the hopes up and keep charging.”
Stage 10 tomorrow promises to be interesting and race organization adds, “riders will experience a rocky loop around AlUla. The 371 km special stage will need riders to keep their wits about them as the famous rocky backdrops will look to catch them out with a technical route that could throw them off course.”
Dakar Rally Results – Stage 9
Pos. Rider Nation Team Time/Gap
1 VAN BEVEREN Adrien FRA Monster Energy Honda Team 04:36:46
2 BRABEC Ricky USA Monster Energy Honda Team +0:32
3 QUINTANILLA Pablo CHI Monster Energy Honda Team +4:19
4 PRICE Toby AUS Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team +6:34
5 BRANCH Ross BWA Hero Motorsports Team Rally +6:59
6 BENAVIDES Kevin ARG Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team +8:13
7 CORNEJO José Ignacio "Nacho" CHI Monster Energy Honda Team +9:57
8 BENAVIDES Luciano ARG Husqvarna Factory Racing +10:06
9 SVITKO Stefan SLO Slovnaft Rally Team +12:28
10 GONÇALVES Rui POR Sherco TVS Rally Factory +12:54
