Skyler Howes: “It’s honestly a miracle”

Dakar 2026 | Stage 12 | AL HENAKIYAH > YANBU
January 16 ^th 2026 - 12:51 [GMT + 3]

Skyler Howes, who won the first special of his career on the Dakar yesterday, almost ended his eighth participation today. The Utah driver lost all the oil from his engine in the first third of the special.

 “It was a very complicated stage. If I’m honest, I thought my Dakar was over today. I looked down after 100 km and my boot was completely covered in oil, the whole back of the bike was covered with oil and there was no oil left in the engine. I’m very surprised I even made it to the finishing line, it’s honestly a miracle. Once I noticed that, I knew I still had 200 km to go with no oil in the bike. So, I just tried not to use the clutch and keep the engine as cool as possible. The rear brakes are soaked in oil so I didn’t have any brakes either. This Dakar is crazy. I’ve had some challenges and adversity to overcome but by some miracle, I made it to the finishing line with that tyre problem on the marathon stage. I’m happy to have made it here but it’s disappointing to lose so much time. […] The job now is to just make sure a Honda stays on the top step of the podium. […] It’s not over until it’s over”.