The Best Dakar Motorcycle Rally Photos 2020

The 2020 Dakar Rally will go down in history for a number of reasons. It was the first time the Dakar was held in Saudi Arabia after moving from South America over concerns for rider safety. It was also the first time an American has won Dakar. Monster Honda Factory rider Ricky Brabec claimed the overall bike class win with a time of 40 hours, 2 minutes and 36 seconds, just 16 minutes ahead of Husqvarna’s Pablo Quintanilla. Defending champion Toby Price finished third on the Red Bull KTM Factory bike.

Ricky Brabec: “It’s a dream come true. Hopefully we can come back next year and repeat it. I know it’s not going to be easy as the Husky and KTM boys will be breathing down our necks. I’m really excited to be here for Honda and for America as well. To be the only American to accomplish this goal is amazing. I think it’s really a dream come true. Now we’ve got to set our goals higher and accomplish more. We are going to come back next year and try and repeat this but, as I said, it’s not easy. We are happy. It was a big, tough race. A lot of kilometers. The team worked great together. The riders were good and the whole team worked well together, so I’m really happy. The bikes were really good. We are all here. We are all happy and safe. That was the first goal. I can’t thank everyone enough—Honda, Monster, and every one of the sponsors behind us. Thank you all so much. It’s the first time in Saudi Arabia. The scenery was insane! I love it. Hopefully I’ll be back next year. I’ve got a five-year contract so I think we’ll be back.”

Finishing in the runner-up position is Rockstar Husqvarna Factory Team rider Pablo Quintanilla. His best-ever Dakar finish saw him in second, just 16 minutes behind Brabec, making for a historic return to Dakar glory for both Honda and Husqvarna.

“I feel amazing,” Quintanilla explained after the race. “To spend most of 2019 in recovery and now to be here with my best-ever result makes me extremely grateful. I never thought that I would be in this position at the beginning of the race. I would like to thank the team for their hard work over these two weeks—they have done an amazing job. Overall, my race has gone really well, it’s been a tough event for everybody, and the main goal was always to reach the finish. A podium at the Dakar is like a dream come true, especially after such a hard one this year. I still want that win, so I’ll work hard and be back next year.”

Defending Dakar bike class champion Toby Price knows that this race requires a little luck as well as plenty of skill in order to finish, yet alone claim victory. “It’s not the result we came for but, with the two weeks we’ve had, I’m quite happy to keep my podium streak going. I’ll be back and looking to get the number 1 plate again.”

If you have never seen a Dakar Rally, it is worth spending a few minutes to pour over some select images from the race, and if your boss doesn’t catch you, maybe you can watch one of the recap videos of the 42nd Dakar that are sure to get your adrenaline pumping.