The 2025 Dakar Rally is proving to have an extremely demanding first week. After the Chrono 48H stage came the marathon stage – two of the most challenging parts of the program, compounded by the harsh terrains of Saudi Arabia.
Naturally, this is a selective race where not everyone can overcome the obstacles and challenges. Ricky Brabec, Monster Energy Honda rider and fifth overall, believes these opening days are the toughest:
– I think what they are trying to do in the first week is eliminate a lot of people, and I think a lot of the amateurs probably won’t come back after this week. But I think next week is going to be a little bit easier. There’s a lot of racing left, but I think this week is the make it or break it week.
Speaking to the Dakar’s official website, the American added: ‘We’ll see what happens, we’ll make a good push, and we’ll have fun riding a motorcycle. It’s the best job I’ve ever had’.
