Press Release | May 7, 2021
Riders Ricky Brabec and Nacho Cornejo are set to participate in the 2021 Sonora Rally
The following is a press release from HRC/RallyZone…
Photos Courtesy of HRC
Riders Ricky Brabec and Nacho Cornejo are set to participate in the Sonora Rally in Mexico, due to get underway this weekend. The first rally after the past Dakar, will consist of five stages through the Altar desert in the northern region of the country, on the border with Arizona.
Ricky Brabec, as the current Sonora Rally title-holder, will be wearing the number one bib. The American will go in search of victory in a desert race ideally suited to his riding style. This seventh edition of the Sonora Rally will play out in the Altar desert–one of the most extensive in the North America continent–with its nerve center located in the city of San Luis Colorado. After the technical and administrative checks on Sunday, May 9, the action will get underway with a total of five stages, the first on May 10, with the event wrapping up on May 14.
Monster Energy Honda Team will, for the first time, line up two of their riders to undertake the challenge. In addition to Ricky Brabec, champion in 2020, Chilean rider José Ignacio Cornejo will accompany the team, led on this occasion by rally ace Johnny Campbell.
“I feel very honored to support and coordinate the race team for Monster Energy Honda Team and HRC in the Sonora Rally,” said Campbell. “In addition to defending champion Ricky Brabec, team-mate Nacho Cornejo will join us on this great adventure. It will be great to have him with us and it should make for a very interesting race!”
Ricky will be wearing the number one on the fairings while Cornejo’s Honda CRF450 Rally will sport the number four. Both will be taking part in the Rally Pro category.
This time out, participants will be issued with a digital road book each morning before the start, indicating the challenges they are about to encounter. The instrument has likewise been confirmed for use in the 2022 Dakar Rally.
Ricky Brabec #1
The Sonora Rally is one of my favorite rallies! The terrain, the people and the food are great! I’m looking forward to competing against my team-mate Nacho Cornejo and defending my 2020 title. This year’s race will be quite competitive and I will have to prepare five good stages if I want to win. The team has been working hard and I will do my best.
José Ignacio Cornejo #4
I am very happy to be back in racing several months on from the Dakar. It will be my first time in Mexico. I’ve heard great things about the Mexican desert and this country. And I am very motivated by this opportunity to race in a new desert. The intention is to get back to race pace, get some good feelings with the bike that we’ve already used in the most recent Dakar, and enjoy the competition to the fullest.
