The Monster Energy Honda HRC Rally2 team finally launched their Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia, as Martim Ventura and Preston Campbell lined up for the opening prologue near Yanbu to take their first competitive steps into the world’s toughest rally.
Facing a packed Rally2 field of 100 riders, both competitors tackled the 22 km timed prologue eager to get the rally underway, settle any last-minute nerves and lay the foundations for the long journey ahead aboard their Honda CRF450RX RALLY machines.
Preston Campbell delivered a composed and consistent ride, finishing an impressive fourth in Rally2, just half a minute shy of prologue winner Michael Docherty. It marked a strong opening for the young American, who quickly found his rhythm on the fast, flowing stage as it threaded through rocky canyons some 40 km from the Yanbu start camp.
Making his Dakar Rally debut alongside Campbell, Martim Ventura was pleased to finally get the action underway. While eighth place was not quite the result he had hoped for, the Portuguese rider now turns his focus to the challenges that lie ahead as the rally moves into its first full stage.
Stage one begins tomorrow and will provide the first true test of Dakar endurance for both riders. Departing from the Yanbu bivouac, competitors will face a demanding total distance of 518 km, including 305 km of timed special across rugged, rocky terrain inland, before looping back to camp after a long day in the saddle. For Ventura and Campbell, it will be their first full taste of Dakar Rally stage action, as the real adventure now begins.
Ruben Faria - General Manager
Preston had an impressive prologue, finishing in the top four in Rally2. It was a very fast stage, with high speeds throughout. Martim, on the other hand, faced a small setback in the morning due to a GPS tablet issue, which delayed his start and may have affected his focus. A bit nervous, he didn’t have a perfect run, but still managed to finish eighth, which should put him in a good position for tomorrow.
Martim Ventura 84 - Prologue: 8th
I’m super happy to finally realise my dream, first of all and with this team. The prologue could have even better, although I had some issues in the morning with the tablet. It felt good to shake it off a bit but I’m looking forward to tomorrow, the first big stage, so now I will focus on that.
Preston Campbell 85 - Prologue: 4th
The prologue was super fun, a quick, short stage, but it was nice to get the race underway and get the two weeks going. It was fast through the valleys, a little bit rocky, the navigation wasn’t too difficult and it was a quick 22 km sprint.
Source: Monster Energy Honda HRC
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