Brabec wins Stage 10 and has his hands on the 2024 Dakar

Ricky Brabec has scored a very important win just two specials from the end of the 2024 Dakar. Despite starting second, the American quickly closed in on team-mate Adrien Van Beveren to earn a 2’25” time bonus which allowed him to win this tenth special, just 2” ahead of José Ignacio Corenjo Florimo.

Honda solo in Stage 10

The factory Monster Energy Honda Rally team is running away with the 2024 Dakar, with the CRF 450 Rally bikes monopolising the podium and American Ricky Brabec snatching the win to extend his overall lead. Just 10” behind him was Chilean José Ignacio Corenjo Florimo, while in third place, 20” from Brabec thanks to a 4’37” time adjustment was Frenchman Adrien Van Beveren. Fourth for Daniel Sanders with the RedBull GasGas Factory, 47” from the stage winner. The Australian is having a tough time in this year’s Dakar and lies just eighth in the general standings, more than one hour from Brabec. Indian rider Harith Noah put in an impressive performance and was actually out front with the Sherco with just 30km to go. The rider ultimately closed 1’55” from the American but nevertheless finished a strong fifth, placing first in the Rally2 class and scoring his best ever result at the Dakar.

Sixth place for Luciano Benavides, as the current Rally Raid world champion continues to struggle in this year's edition, along with the rest of the KTM/Husqvarna/GasGas riders. He closed the stage 2’33” off the pace and now lies more than 50’ back in the general standings. Brother Kevin did no better, eighth today and out of the running for the overall win, unless something dramatic occurs during the last two stages. Ross Branch finished between the Benavides brothers, the Hero rider having run an almost flawless Dakar until now. At the end of Stage 7 just one second separated Branch and Brabec while, over the last two days, the American has shifted gears to increase his lead over the Botswanan to 10’54”. Rounding out the top ten in today’s special were Mathieu Doveze with the KTM of Bas World KTM Racing, second in the Rally2 class, and Toby Price with the RedBull KTM Factory Racing team, 6’48” from Brabec and sixth in the general standings behind team-mate Kevin Benavides, 42’ from the leader.