The contenders
The battle for supremacy will once again between Honda and Pierer Group (KTM, GasGas and Husqvarna). The competition between the two off-road power houses is intense with both companies’ projects second only to their respective MotoGP efforts.
Honda field a five-strong team including former winner Ricky Brabec and podium finisher Pablo Quintanilla. Their effort is bolstered by the impressive American Skyler Howes and the seriously fast Adrien Van Beveren and Ignacio Cornejo.
They also have the new addition of rising star Tosha Schareina who has already proved his speed and ability.
The Austrians’ prized assets are split between their factory KTM, GasGas and Husqvarna teams. Starting with KTM, two-time winner and habitual podium finisher Toby Price will be in the mix. Austrian Mathias Walkner will miss this year’s Dakar following a crash in testing last month. His factory KTM teammate Kevin Benavides – the only man in the race that has won for both Honda and KTM has the pace but arrives recovering from a broken ankle. Benavides’ younger brother Luciano is the man in form and won the World Rally championship in 2023. Britain’s Sam Sunderland leads the GasGas charge along with fast and talented teammate Daniel Sanders.
Wildcards include 30-time stage winner Joan Barreda who joins Hero from Honda. Fellow Hero riders Ross Branch and Joaquim Rodrigues are also capable of stage wins.
Hot prospect Mason Klein will lead Chinese manufacturer Kove’s assault on the race. The American is just 22 and already a stage winner when he rode a KTM in 2023.