Rally strategy begins with subtle moves to set up competitors for future stage wins and overall victory
The pendulum slows.
Today's Stage 4 of the 2021 Dakar Rally in Saudia Arabia has signaled the slow down of the massive pendulum swings affecting the top-20 racers in the Elite Motorcycle division. As the race tightens slowly, some racers are making strategic moves to align with the fastest contenders and really begin the race craft.
Ricky Brabec on the Monster Energy Honda team seems to be taking the lead in strategic riding, holding back from top speed today to set himself up favorably for two challenging stages before the rest day. Meanwhile his teammate Joan Barreda has kept the throttle pinned, taking his 26th career stage win and blitzing minutes away from the field in today's timed section, averaging ~ 75 mph for over 200 miles of race course.
We chat with Johnny Campbell and Kendall Norman inside the Brabec/Cornejo motorhome and get some insight into the new play from the American Honda rider. We also break down the next few stages and go over what happened on today's extremely fast course.
Enjoy!