First American

When Monster Energy Honda’s Ricky Brabec crossed the finish line on the 12th and final day of the 2020 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia, he went right into the history books. Brabec, who hails from Hesperia, California, became the first American motorcycle racer to win Dakar, the most prestigious and difficult rally event of all. Brabec won two of the event’s 12 stages, leading the overall rally from the third day on. This was Brabec’s eighth time competing at the Dakar Rally, which was held for the first time in this oil-rich desert kingdom. Former motocross/supercross star Andrew Short also competed, finishing tenth overall as a member of the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna team.

Photo: Courtesy Honda