Dakar Rally 2023 • Whole Motorbike

Coming into the 2023 Dakar Rally, Skyler Howes has proven unbelievable tempo over the previous 12 months, together with a win on the powerful Rallye du Maroc – Howes’ first world championship victory. The velocity and outcomes are due partially to the onerous work put in by the entire staff in growing the newest 2023 mannequin FR 450 Rally.

Feeling match and higher ready than ever to tackle the gruelling 8,500 kilometres of the 2023 Dakar, the American is absolutely targeted on delivering his greatest ever efficiency on the iconic occasion. With 14 full phases to cowl and over 4,700 kilometres raced towards the clock, Howes feels the lengthy nature of the rally, in addition to the elevated worth positioned on correct navigation, ought to go well with his expertise and elegance.

Having additionally loved a stand-out 2022 season during which he claimed podium leads to Morocco and Andalucia, Luciano Benavides is on prime kind and hungry for fulfillment on the Dakar. The 2022 occasion didn’t go as deliberate for the Argentinian as he suffered from the identical first day navigational challenge that caught out most of the entrance runners. Nevertheless, shortly regrouping and preventing again up the order gave Benavides the boldness he wanted to assault the rest of the season.

Discovering the modifications and improvement made to the FR 450 Rally completely suited to his using type, Luciano feels comfy to push onerous over all diversified terrain whereas additionally with the ability to concentrate on his navigation – one thing that might show key over the course the lengthy, upcoming race. With added rule modifications that reward riders who open phases coming into impact in 2023, technique and the flexibility to learn the terrain, and the highway e book, can be extra vital than ever.

The 2023 Dakar Rally begins with a brief 11-kilometre prologue on December 31 to resolve the beginning order for stage one. The occasion then covers 14 full days of racing with riders protecting a complete distance of 8,549 kilometres, 4,706 of which can be timed particular phases raced towards the clock. The rally involves a detailed on Sunday, January 15 in Dammam.

Skyler Howes: “I’m actually trying ahead to starting the 2023 Dakar Rally journey that awaits us. I’m tremendous excited to get began really, this 12 months I really feel much more relaxed than at earlier Dakars, and that’s nice for my confidence. In fact, there may be nonetheless numerous using and racing that faces us over the following two weeks or so, and it’s undoubtedly going to be a tricky Dakar. Nevertheless it’s these longer, more difficult occasions that appear to go well with my using and my mindset. There are going to be numerous modifications this 12 months with new the principles and meaning totally different methods, however I feel it’s good. It’s all the time tough after they herald these rule modifications, however we’re all in the identical boat right here and we’ll must determine it out as greatest we are able to. On the finish of the day, all I can do is my greatest, and that’s what I plan to do – have a cool, enjoyable time racing my Husqvarna by Saudi Arabia.”

Luciano Benavides: “We’re virtually prepared for the beginning of the race now. I’ve ready greater than ever for the 2023 race, and I’m in a extremely good place to offer the occasion my best possible. It’s going to be a extremely lengthy race this 12 months – the longest for round eight years – it means it’s going to be a extremely powerful Dakar, particularly the second week by the dunes of the Empty Quarter. Mentally and bodily I’m feeling good, and my tempo has been actually aggressive over the course of 2022. I actually really feel I’ve an excellent shot at securing a prime end result, I simply want to stay targeted every day and never make any errors as I feel they are going to have a huge effect this 12 months.”