2011 Dakar News
Some love its styling, others hate it, but one thing’s for sure – the KTM 450 Rally will be competitive at the 2011 Dakar.
This YouTube video previews the KTM 450 Rally bikes and team that will compete at the
Argentina Chile Dakar Rally from Jan. 1 through the 16.
The following riders will be competing at Dakar on the KTM Rally: Cyril Despres, Marc Coma, Juan Pedero and Rubin Faria.
In 2011, the Dakar route takes the competitors to the extreme northern regions of Argentina and Chile. Rider will then travel to the Bolivian and Peru borders before taking a rest day at Africa. The riders will then head back towards Buenos Aires.
Since the KTM 450’s victorious debut on the Rallye du Maroc, development has continued at the same hectic pace that saw the bike go from the drawing board to competition in just six months.
Immediately after the KTM 450 Rally’s first competitive outing, Cyril Despres’ machine was meticulously examined by engineers back in Austria, and once they had given the all clear, Team Red Bull KTM mechanics built up the two motorcycles in record time ready for final shake down tests in Fontjoncouse track (France).
Cyril Despres (KTM Rally Dakar Rider) says: "As always the lead up to getting the bikes in the boat has been pretty busy, but everything has been remarkably trouble free. Testing went well and it was great to see the team as united and as motivated as ever."
"Plus the tests Ruben and I did at Pre-Sport in Perpignan proved we are as on form as our bikes. Unveiling the new bike at the EICMA Milan Motorcycle Show with all the top KTM management was also a proud moment. Now we won’t see the bikes again until we go and fetch them from the docks in Argentina, so for fans of off-road motorcycle racing the world over we have produced another short video clip showing the bike in greater detail. It’s a really nice bike."
