Honda's fighting spirit

January 5 ^th 2019 - 19:42

As the pundits send in their final predictions before the start, the chatter in the scrutineering area wonders whether Honda will be able to topple KTM from the throne it has occupied for 17 consecutive editions. Their current roster includes two former runners-up, Paulo Gonçalves (2015) and Kevin Benavides (2018), along with Joan Barreda, who at 22 stage wins is the most prolific rider in the field, flanked by whiz kid José "Nacho" Cornejo (tenth in 2018) and Ricky Brabec (tenth in 2016). The Japanese maker has strengthened its squad in an attempt to finally stand on top of the podium, signing former Portuguese riders Ruben Faria and Hélder Rodrigues to share their experience with the team. "Honda's prospects have always been buried by little mistakes", points out Rodrigues, now serving as special adviser to the riders. "This includes racing or navigational mistakes out there on the course as well as weak spots in the structure of the team, so they wanted to dot all the i's and cross all the t's." Hélder does not have a magical formula for success, but he can point out all the strengths and (rare) weak points of their three leading riders. Kevin Benavides? "Not only he's insanely fast, he's also a very hard worker, which has helped him become a better navigator. He needs to ride at the front. He's just a bit young and lacking some experience." Joan Barreda? "He's an experienced rider, I've raced a lot with him. It's pretty obvious that he has what it takes to win, nay, that he should've already won by now. His only problem has been his bad luck so far." Paulo Gonçalves? "On paper, he can be really fast, but he might be hampered by the operation he underwent very recently for his injured spleen." Rodrigues also brings up Ricky Brabec, "who could be the surprise of this Dakar", and is adamant that it will be a Honda rider who tops the podium in Lima on 17 January: "This is our year!"