Much prep goes into the Dakar Rally, which is coined as the world’s toughest race. And a large part of this prep is participation in the Morocco Rally. The rally in Oilybia is considered by many as “rehearsal” for the Dakar Rally.
The race, which consisted of over 1250 miles during six stages of competition in 2012, allows the riders and teams to further prepare their minds and machines.
Winning this year’s Morocco Rally was four-time Dakar winner Cyril Despres. The Red Bull KTM rider’s main nemesis and Red Bull teammate, Marc Coma, was forced to retire due to a shoulder injury.
Two other Red Bull KTM riders competed at the Morocco Rally – Helder Rodrigues, who was forced to retire due to fuel problems, and Chaleco Lopez, who finished third overall.
Attached above is a video from Red Bull highlight the performance of Despres, Coma, Rodrigues and Lopez at the Morocco Rally, the final rally before the 2013 Dakar Rally, which starts in Lima, Peru, Jan. 5, 2013.