Road to Dakar: The first entry for 2019


March 28 th 2018 - 12:07


As part of the Yokohama Sonora Rally, the "Road to Dakar" has its first winner of an entry for the 2019 Dakar. Skylar Howes will try to do just as good next January as his predecessor Mark Samuels, who made it to the finish at Córdoba in 21st place.

The entry list for the 2019 Dakar has the name of its first rider, even before the registration period begins! For the third consecutive year, the Yokohama Sonora Rally in Mexico included the “Road to Dakar” which rewarded its highest place finisher with free entry to their initial Dakar. While the father and son duo of Todd and Kyle Jurgensen took top honours in the car category, the “Road to Dakar” prize was reserved for the bikes. At the sharp end of the order, the promising Skylar Howes was in a tight battle with Scot Bright (53rd on the 2016 Dakar), over the five days of the race and when the dust settled he not only won in the “Road to Dakar”, he also won overall. Ecstatic with the result, the American rider didn’t hold back his exultation. “This race was amazing…and the Dakar is a dream of mine”. His closest rival in the “Road to Dakar”, George La Monte finished 3rd overall and shared Howes enthusiasm. “This was my first Sonora Rally, he said at the finish. “I wasn’t expecting at all to be on the podium. Now I know what I am capable of. I now have my plan and I want to come back in 2019 to win the “Road to Dakar”. We can’t wait to see you then and wish you well, Mr. La Monte.

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