Dakar 2024, Stage 9: a first-rate Van Beveren, Brabec extends his lead

Still shaken by the news of Carles Falcón's passing, the Dakar riders were back in action for the ninth stage of what is a very challenging 2024 edition. Today’s special began in Ha'Il ad Alula and took in 417 kilometres of dunes, sand, dirt and asphalt.

First to finish today was Frenchman Adrien Van Beveren who, with the factory team HRC Honda CRF450 Rally, was able to make the most of the time adjustment for those opening the stage, earning more than 5 minutes and scoring his second stage win of the year following success in the 48h timed stage.

Honda monopolises the podium, Brabec extends his lead over Branch

Today’s stage saw Honda take centre stage, the Japanese manufacturer monopolising the podium. Closing behind “AVB” were Ricky Brabec and Pablo Quintanilla, second and third respectively, with the American (the 2020 winner) able to extend his advantage over Ross Branch in the general standings. The Hero rider lost around seven minutes, finishing the stage in fifth place behind Toby Price on the KTM.

The stage was trickier than expected for brothers Kevin and Luciano Benavides who, having scored a fantastic double in the last special, closed 8'13'' and 10'16'' respectively behind Van Beveren. And the situation was even more complicated for Daniel Sanders, the only factory GASGAS rider still in the running following the withdrawal of Sam Sunderland. The Australian finished more than 20 minutes from the frontrunners, in a Dakar that is proving particularly taxing for “Chucky”.