Following his unexpected exit from Husqvarna’s Factory Racing back in June, Skyler Howes is making the headlines again. This time, the surprising news comes from Honda which has announced the addition of Howes to their Factory Rally Team to race the Dakar and the rest of the 2023 World Rally-Raid Championship.

Skyler Howes is the latest reinforcement to the Monster Energy Honda Team where he will race with fellow American Ricky Brabec, Adrien Van Beveren, Pablo Quintanilla and José Ignacio Cornejo. Skyler is quite enthusiastic about this move and says riding for the HRC rally team “is a highlight of my life and career.”

In spite of his racing being onboard a KTM and a Husqvarna in recent years, Howes is no stranger to Honda. “I learned how to ride on a XR75 when I was 3 years old,” says Skyler “and I began my rally effort on a CRF450X so my roots are deep with Honda.” 

Third place in Saudi Arabia last January, he became the 5th American to ever finish on the overall podium of the Dakar Rally. Since his first success in 2008, when he was crowned USRA 125 Desert Champion, Howes has collected a total of 54 race wins.

The 31 years old rider has been racing professionally since 2012 and grew up competing offroad, specifically desert racing before turning his hand to rally in 2018. Born in Riverside, California, he lives and keeps an intense practice schedule in Southern Utah.  Besides his commitment for rally raid, he loves mountain biking, rock climbing, snowboarding, jet skiing, and flying his hot air Balloon.

Ruben Faria, General Manager Monster Energy Honda Team Rally: “We are very happy to welcome Skyler. He is a young rider, but quite experienced in rally – was third in the last Dakar and won in Morocco. He is quite complete and fast off piste. With him we will have a super team for Dakar 24 and I am sure Skyler will help us to be on the top standings.”