STAT OF THE DAY: 9
The number 10 has a special place in the heart of Skyler Howes but perhaps next year he will be asking the organisers for number 9, having added his name this year to the eight American bikers before him who have tasted victory on a special on the Dakar.
The Californian had to wait until his 8th participation and the start of his 81st special, whose programme was strangely similar to a Vegas to Reno race, for example, to join the stage winners’ club.
Chuck Stearns was the initiator in 1985, followed by Danny Laporte (1992), Jimmy Lewis (1997), Kellon Walch (2005), Jonah Street (2006), Kurt Caselli (2013), Ricky Brabec (2017) and Mason Klein (2023).
Collectively, these American riders have achieved 26 stage victories.
On broadening the focus to other categories, the USA’s competitors have obtained 14 stage successes in the car category, with Robby Gordon as the pioneer in 2005, followed by Mark Miller (2010), Seth Quintero (2025) and Mitch Guthrie (2026).
When success on specials accomplished in the Challenger and SSV races are added, the number climbs to 49, 20 of which were achieved by Seth Quintero in the first part of his career.
Altogether, the USA boasts 89 wins!
