From the very start Ricky Brabec wanted to make up
for the disappointment of last year where he had broken
down with just 3 stages remaining and within striking
distance of victory. The American set the pace immedi-
ately, he was on a mission and wanted no one challeng-
ing him. He made it clear from the very earliest days
that the Dakar 2020 would be his.
The outspoken Californian took the lead at stage three
and that was that. He had a lead which seemed insur-
mountable and it proved to be, in true Brabec fashion he
didn’t hold back, he fought to the end wanting to win by
the greatest margin. It seemed he would.
Behind the Honda, the usual suspects fought to regain
control. Price and his KTM led the charge, with his team-
mates, Sam Sunderland and Matthias Walkner; all three
are past winners. It meant little to Brabec and it meant
just as little to Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Pablo Quint-
anilla. Both wanted to end the orange reign.
Laia Sanz was the first big name to find trouble. The
legendary female rider fell on stage two and while able
to continue it cost her 20 minutes, a time she would
never get back. The GasGas rider fought hard across the
remaining ten stages but was never going to challenge
her previous best. The Spaniard did finish Dakar 2020,
TRAVERSE 10