Having signed from Husky in the off-season, Skyler Howes had high hopes in pairing with fellow American (and former Dakar winner) Ricky Brabec on the HRC RALLY 450. However Howes got caught out by the organizers' unorthodox approach. “Off to a rough start here at the Dakar Rally,” he posted on social media. “We were required to go between posts randomly on the stage which proved super difficult since we are in the open desert. I was about to miss one and when I turned to go through it I hit a massive camel grass hump and went over the bars.”
The trip over the bars definitely cost him precious time. “The crash smashed my roadbook and twisted my bar, so the rest of the stage was difficult to ride and navigate only following tracks. I missed a turn because of it and lost even more time… 5 minutes lost today and I will likely open Stage 1 tomorrow. But super fortunate to not be injured after a heavy crash.”
Despite losing time and finishing the Prologue in 42th, there are still two weeks of rallying to go and the American rider is positive he can change things around. “Time to reset the brain. Shake it off and give’r tomorrow. Only 5,000 miles left to go!”
PROVISIONAL STANDINGS AFTER PROLOGUE
Pos. Rider Num Nation Team Time/Gap
1 SCHAREINA, Tosha 68 SPA Monster Energy Honda Team 00H 17' 35''
2 SANDERS, Daniel 4 AUS GASGAS Factory Team +0:12
3 EVAN BRANCH, Ross 16 BWA Hero Motorsports Team Rally +0:19
4 VAN BEVEREN, Adrien 42 FRA Monster Energy Honda Team +0:24
5 BENAVIDES, Luciano 77 ARG Husqvarna Factory Racing +0:26
6 SUNDERLAND, Sam 3 GBR Gas Gas Factory Team +0:28
7 QUINTANILLA, Pablo 7 CHI Monster Energy Honda Team +0:47
8 PRICE, Toby 18 AUS Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team +0:51
9 BENAVIDES, Kevin 1 ARG Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team +0:56
10 KLEIN, Mason 98 USA KOVE Rally +0:58
13 BRABEC, Ricky 9 USA Monster Energy Honda Team +1:19
14 CORNEJO, José Ignacio "Nacho" 11 CHI Monster Energy Honda Team +1:24
42 HOWES, Skyler 10 USA Monster Energy Honda Team +5:10
