Ryan Nitzen | December 11, 2023
The rally scene is heating up as we gear up for the 2024 running of the Dakar Rally. Honda HRC announced their factory rally team this week along with a new generation of their CRF450R Rally Racer. The team consists of Pablo Quintanilla, Ricky Brabec, Skyler Howes, Nacho Cornejo, Adrien Van Beveren and Tosha Schareina.
“The Dakar 2024 is just around the corner and the Monster Energy Honda Team so far so good,” said team manager Ruben Faria. “The riders are very happy with the motorcycle and all are in good physical condition. Dakar 2024 will be very difficult but 2023 season was a year of evolution for the team and the victory in the team/manufacturers world championship gave us the certainty that we have a very strong working group in all areas and that gives confidence to all levels to fight for the highest place on the podium, where we stopped with victory in 2020 and 2021.”
“It’s no only a race for me it’s a way of life,” said Pablo Quintanilla. “You try to do your best all the time and I think it’s important for the life. For me it’s really important to race for the victory. I’m feel that I’m able to win this race.”
“It’s a way of living, everyday I wake up thinking in Dakar,” said Ricky Brabec. “Obviously the goal for the Dakar it’s to get Honda on top. This new Marathon style it’s gonna be tricky, a few different bivouacs and you’re gonna to choose one, the strategy will be key.”
“The Dakar to me it’s just an ultimate challenge,” said Skyler Howes. “The Dakar is an adventure, every day is different, you live life to the fullest…for me the main goal it’s enjoy every single kilometer.”
“For me Dakar it’s an adventure with yourself, put you on a test in every ways,” said Nacho Cornejo. “Dakar goal for this year it’s to improve the results of the last couple of years.”
“Dakar is all for me, all my life is around Dakar,” said Adrien Van Beveren. “Dakar goal for this year its to go for the win, it’s been my goal since many years. I’ve been close sometimes and I feel it’s the moment.”
“To be here in Dakar it’s a dream come true,” said Tosha Schareina. “I’ve been watching the Dakar since I was little and being here is incredible. We are going to fight for it”