Skyler Howes leaves Honda HRC: a special chapter ends after three years
After three years together, it is over: Skyler Howes and Monster Energy Honda HRC are going their separate ways. At the end of June 2026, Honda officially confirmed the end of its collaboration with the American. The background remains unclear – both sides will merely take “different directions”.
To Honda HRC’s official statement
It ends a partnership that began in 2023 with high expectations. Howes joined Honda at the time as one of the most sought-after rally raid riders. Shortly before, he had celebrated the biggest success of his career to date at the 2023 Dakar, finishing third overall. Honda signed him as reinforcement for its already star-studded factory team.
Three years in the strongest rally team in the world
For Howes, the move to HRC was more than just a new contract. The American had learned to ride a motorcycle as a child on a Honda XR75 and accordingly described joining the Honda factory team as a highlight of his career.
In sporting terms, however, the following years did not always go to plan. Howes regularly showed his speed but also had to cope with setbacks. In a team with riders such as Ricky Brabec, Adrien Van Beveren and Tosha Schareina, the internal bar was extremely high.
In 2026, too, Howes initially remained part of the official RallyGP line-up of Monster Energy Honda HRC. At the Dakar he won a stage – another sign that the American is competitive at the highest level.
At the end of May, Howes was still riding the CRF450 RALLY at the Desafío Ruta 40. He finished the rally fifth overall and afterwards said the team had worked intensively on the bike’s setup during the event. At that point he was still looking ahead to further testing and the coming races.
Only about a month later, the split followed.
Honda thanks Howes
In its official statement, Honda gave no details of the reasons. HRC instead thanked Howes for his effort, commitment and professionalism during his three seasons with the team.
The American had been an important part of the RallyGP programme and had contributed his experience both on and off the bike.
The time together of Skyler Howes and Monster Energy Honda HRC has come to an end. Honda particularly acknowledged his effort, his professionalism and his contribution to the RallyGP programme.
Howes himself also confirmed the end of his time at HRC and made clear how much this chapter meant to him. He said his time as a rider for the HRC rally team was over and that he had invested a great deal of energy and work in those years.
That the split comes immediately after the Desafío Ruta 40 makes it all the more surprising. While still in Argentina, Howes had spoken publicly about progress with the bike and the team and had already turned his attention to the rest of the season.
What next for Skyler Howes?
The big question now is: Where will we see Skyler Howes next?
A rider with his experience is likely to be of interest to several rally raid projects. Howes is a Dakar podium finisher and stage winner with years of experience at factory level. He has also repeatedly proved that he can not only ride fast but also master difficult rallies with navigation and tactical understanding.
At the time of the split, however, no new team had yet been officially announced. Speculation about his sporting future should therefore be treated as just that.
What is certain: Howes apparently has no intention of ending his career any time soon. And a rider of his calibre would be an interesting reinforcement for practically any ambitious rally raid project.
An unusual partnership ends for Honda
Looking back, Skyler Howes’ time at Honda remains a story with many strong moments, but also with the feeling that the really big result never came.
When Howes joined HRC, he was one of the hottest names in the scene after his third place at the 2023 Dakar. At Honda he then met one of the strongest line-ups of riders in international rally raid.
His speed flashed again and again – right up to the Dakar stage win in 2026 – but the big overall success with the CRF450 RALLY eluded him.
Now a new chapter begins for both sides.
Honda will continue to focus its RallyGP project on the fight for Dakar and W2RC wins. For Skyler Howes, meanwhile, one of the most exciting phases of his career begins: the search for a new home.
One thing is likely certain: the last chapter of Skyler Howes’ rally raid career is far from written.
Sources:
Monster Energy Honda HRC – Skyler Howes and Monster Energy Honda HRC follow different directions
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