Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1096603
IN THE WIND P40 Ricky Brabec Tops Sonora Rally I n its fifth running since 2015, the Yokohama Sonora Rally took rid- ers on over 800 miles of Mexican desert terrain, where HRC Honda rider Ricky Brabec, after five days and six stages of racing, took a decisive victory. Aided in the effort by Johnny Campbell and JCR Honda, Brabec led the way from start to finish and claimed the trophy for the second time. Skyler Howes, defending Sonora Rally champion and fellow Dakar Rally competitor, finished second overall in the Moto Pro division followed by Mike Johnson. For Brabec, the first race of the new rally season (following the 2019 Dakar Rally) was a resound- ing success. Brabec ended the race with a 37-minute lead over his closest competitor. "I was excited to just be able to ride the big bike again with some naviga- tion," Brabec said. "This desert to me is like home and very close from my home town so it makes it easy to show up with a small crew to race, and as well, to train. The terrain is sandy in spots with great dunes and a little more south is rocky hard pack, there's a little of everything and for this I believe it's proven training grounds." For Skyler Howes, his runner- up finish marked a respectable comeback after injuring his shoulder in the Dakar Rally. "It was a lot of work to get here this year," said Howes, "prepping the new huskies and rehabbing my shoulder. The event itself made all the work worth it and to throw on stage three wins and a good result is the cherry on top." Rounding out the podium was event regular Mike Johnson, who was full of praise for the Sonora Rally. "To see this event come from a concept in Darren [Skilton]'s and Scott Whitney's heads to what it is today—a true world-class event—is just incredible. It's so exciting to see this coming to the United States. When I was a kid, I always had a dream to go to the Dakar, and I've been fortunate enough to do that, and now this is bringing that kind of experience to people in the U.S. and Mexico, and it's really exciting." In the Enduro class, Matt Sutherland took top honors, carding a sixth-place finish in the overall moto standings. In the expert division, Matthew Glade was the winner. Another former Dakar racer, Chris Blais, who suffered a spinal injury in 2007, made his return to rally racing by taking part in the Sonora Rally in a UTV, where he finished first in the Car Class. CN Motorcycle Overall: 1. Ricky Brabec (15:21:58) 2. Skyler Howes (+37:15) 3. Mike Johnson (+2:13:08) 4. Aaron Richardson (+2:56:56) 5. Kevin Omo (+4:11:41) 6. Matt Sutherland (+4:48:42) 7. Radek Burkat (+5:20:50) 8. Kyle McCoy (+5:26:58) 9. David Pearson (+6:00:40) 10. Jim Pearson (+8:38:47) Ricky Brabec topped the Sonora Rally for the second time, dominating all five days of the race. PHOTOS BY HONDA HRC