Ricky Brabec made significant progress towards securing his second Dakar Rally victory today, clinching the second spot just 32 seconds behind his primary competitor, Ross Branch, who is a contender for the overall win tomorrow.
Despite the challenges of leading the trail throughout the day, Brabec managed to stay on course, avoiding navigation errors on the demanding 420 km Stage 11. This accomplishment earned him a time bonus of 5 minutes and 45 seconds.
The overall gap between Brabec and Branch remains above 10 minutes, with Adrian Van Beveren securing the third position, trailing by approximately 14 minutes. Brabec is set to start behind Branch on the final stage, allowing him to follow rather than lead.
The 11th stage covered a 420 km stretch through canyons and dry rivers from AlUla to the final bivouac in Yanbu. The rugged terrain, filled with rocks and stones along the entire special, posed challenges for the competitors. The concluding stage of Dakar 2024 will feature a shorter 175 km special with fewer major difficulties.
Reflecting on the day, Ross Branch expressed satisfaction, stating, “It was a really cool stage today. I had a lot of fun right from the start until the finish.” While acknowledging the significant lead of the race leader, Branch expressed contentment with his current position and anticipation for the last day.
Ricky Brabec shared his perspective, emphasizing the closeness of the competition. He narrated his experience of leading the entire day, expecting teammates to catch up for bonus time. Brabec highlighted the uncertainty of Ross Branch’s progress but anticipated a top 3 finish with Adrien. He deemed it his best ride of the rally and emphasized the challenging nature of the Dakar, stating that reaching the finish line is a victory in itself.
Jacob Argubright, despite facing challenges and penalties, reflected on the fun and toughness of Stage 11, finishing 14th initially but slipping to 21st due to penalties. He embraced the learning experiences, expressed readiness for the final stage, and maintained a positive outlook despite setbacks.
Provisional Rankings – Stage 11
1. Ross Branch, Hero MotoSports Team Rally, 04h 51m 57s
2. Ricky Brabec, Monster Energy Honda Team, + 0m 32s
3. Adrien Van Beveren, Monster Energy Honda Team, + 3m 17s
4. Luciano Benavides, Husqvarna Factory Racing, + 4m 38s
5. Toby Price, RedBull KTM Factory Racing, + 6m 31s
21. Jacob Argubright, DUUST Rally Team + 00H 34′ 14”
70. Kyle McCoy, American Rally Originals + 02H 38′ 14″
101 . Weston Carr, HT Husqvarna + 03H 41′ 41”
Provisional Overall Rankings – at the end of Stage 11
1. Ricky Brabec, Monster Energy Honda Team, 49h 37m 57s
2. Ross Branch, Hero MotoSports Team Rally, + 10m 22s
3. Adrien Van Beveren, Monster Energy Honda Team, + 14m 31s
4. Ignacio Cornejo, Monster Energy Honda Team, + 38m 44s
5. Kevin Benavides, RedBull KTM Factory Racing, + 41m 19s
65. Kyle McCoy, American Rally Originals + 25H 52′ 54”’
76. Weston Carr, HT Husqvarna + 29H 34′ 53”
90. Jacob Argubright DUUST rally Team+ 54H 18′ 22”
