Image: Supplied.

Monster Energy Honda Team’s Ricky Brabec has strengthened his Dakar Rally lead by securing victory on stage six of the prestigious event.

Brabec now controls the field by 20m56s following a commanding performance on day six, where he defeated Joan Barreda (Monster Energy Honda Team) and Matthias Walkner (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing).

Pablo Quintanilla (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) was fourth ahead of Luciano Benavides (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), while defending champion Toby Price (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) overcame a rear wheel issue to finish 11th.

Behind Brabec in the overall standings is Quintanilla and Price, followed by Jose Ignacio Cornejo (Monster Energy Honda Team) and Barreda.

Australian Rodney Faggotter (Yamaha Motor Australia) wound up 15th on day six for a ranking of 13th, as fellow Aussies Phillip Wilson (Bas Dakar KTM Racing Team), Ben Young (Duust Rally Team), Trevor Wilson (Husqvarna) and Matthew Tisdall (Bas Dakar KTM Racing Team) are now ranked in positions 63, 66, 88, and 107.

Detailed results