The Monster Energy Honda HRC name will also be used at the Rally2 level. On Wednesday, Honda announced Preston Campbell and Martim Ventura will compete in the 2026 World Rally-Raid Championship as “Monster Energy Honda HRC Rally2”.

Formerly known as Honda HRC Junior Team, the program made its debut at the BP Ultimate Rally-Raid Portugal in September. Campbell, an American desert racer who only started rally raiding in the spring, impressed with a fifth in class while Ventura, a Portuguese rally ace, placed ninth. At the season-ending Rallye du Maroc, Campbell was sixth and Ventura 19th after his bib mousse broke.

In January, both riders will begin the W2RC by racing their maiden Dakar Rally.

“I am super happy and grateful to ride my first Dakar with Honda,” Ventura stated. “I have been training my whole life with this race in my mind and it’s amazing to have to the tools to ride fast and safe in the most difficult off-road race in the world.

“Portugal and Morocco were amazing test and development with the team, I gained a lot experience with my self and the bike. Although it’s my first Dakar, I feel I have a lot of knowledge already to make a good race.”

Monster Energy, who sponsors the RallyGP division, decided to step up and back the Rally2 side as well for 2026. Thus, Ventura and Campbell will both have liveries and firesuits like their top-level counterparts.

Besides competing for the Rally2 title and helping their riders grow, the Rally2 program is designed to develop the Honda CRF450RX Rally. In essence a rally replica version of the CRF450 Rally used by their RallyGP riders, the CRF450RX was introduced for the 2025 season and used by Campbell and Ventura in their two starts.

“We are developing the bike and are very happy with its performance,” said manager Ruben Faria. “The main goal for this Dakar is for them to try to finish in the top five in their category and in the top 15 overall. They are learning very quickly and have what it takes to achieve this.

“It will be a tough Dakar as it is their first, but the whole team is behind them and will help them with whatever they need.”

Featured image credit: Honda HRC