KTM's Marc Coma and Cyril Despres Both 3-Time Dakar Champions

KTM factory rider Marc Coma captured his third Dakar Rally Championship on Saturday, January 15th, riding into Buenos Aires after a challenging 16-day race across Argentina and Chile, crossing the Andes and spending many days in the Atacama Desert. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was also a triumphant debut for the Australian KTM 450 rally bike that captured the 10th consecutive prize for KTM Motorsports. The engineers coupled the single-cylinder 4-stroke engine with a 5-speed gearbox. It has a dry weight of 330 lbs and features a 9.2 gallon fuel tank that straddles the frame. Cost: $41,200. The KTM brand has become synonymous with offroad racing and in particular the most challenging of annual rallies, The Dakar.

Fellow KTM factory rider Cyril Despres, the title holder going into the Dakar, fought the good fight right up until the finish, was second overall. He trailed Coma by just over 15 minutes after 9600 km of competitive riding over the most challenging terrain possible. Considering that Despres incurred a 10-minute penalty in the early part of the race, he and Coma rode on equal terms throughout the 13 stages and frequently finished only minutes apart. Indeed in the penultimate stage there was only 37 second separating the two riders at the end of the day. Between them Coma and Despres took victory in eight of the 13 stages – Coma won five stages and Despres won three. 
 
Worthy winner
Coma was a worthy overall winner of the 33rd edition of the race that took competitors in a huge sweep through Argentina, across the Andes at 4500 m altitude into northern Chile and up to the border with Peru, over a number of stages in the notoriously dry Atacama Desert, back across the Andes and through Argentina to the finish in the capital. It was his job on Saturday to open the road on what was a comparatively short stage and all he had to do was to keep Despres under control till they got to Buenos Aires. Coma first took control of the overall standings after Stage 4 and remained in front for the remainder of the rally. He conceded 1'30 to Despres in the final stage but the title was well and truly wrapped up.
 
Marc Coma: "Many sacrifices to get to here" 
"Staying focused was essential so I did focus on my riding. It was the only way to win. What was really tough was that I could not let my guard down, not even for a second. When a tough stsge was ending, the next one was even tougher. We all know that a Dakar is a difficult race but this year it was particularly difficult. This victory is the reward of all the hard work, the reward of many years and a lot of tensions over the last few days. It is the bonus you get for steering right and for so many sacrifices over the years."
 
Despres, a fight to the end
At the end of Stage 13 Cyril Despres, the consummate perfectionist said he was sad he had not done better. “I made some mistakes, they were two small mistakes but they held some heavy consequences,” he said. “This special is different if you are in first place as it was the case last year... then you want the race to be shorter. When you are second, you would want the race to be longer. But anyway, the feeling of finishing a Dakar is always nice especially here with all the people welcoming you. I am sad I could not do better. I have raced 11 Dakar, won three and been on the podium eight times. One more would have been great. But I just could not make any better.”
 
Good finish for KTM’s two factory co-riders
Another great result also came from the two co-riders to the leading KTM factory riders. Juan Pedrero of Spain, the water carrier for Coma, finished overall fifth and Ruben Faria who served the same function for Despres was seventh overall. The domination of the brand is further underlined by the fact that nine of the top 11 riders were on the Austrian-made bikes.

With today’s victory, Coma draws equal with fellow KTM factory rider Cyril Despres as they now have three titles each and have together dominated rally sport in recent years.

KTM congratulates all KTM riders who were courageous enough to tackle the Dakar, the rally that is at the very heart of this great sport.
 
Stage 13 Results
1, Frans Verhoeven, Belgium, BMW 
2, Helder Rodrigues, Portugal, Yamaha at 00:05 
3, Jean De Azevedo, Brazil, KTM, 26:04 at 00:05 
4, Cyril Despres, France, KTM, at 00:44 
5, Marc Coma, Spain, KTM at 2:16 
6, Henk Knuiman, Netherlands, KTM, 2:47 
7, Juan Pedrero, Spain, KTM at 3:05 
8, Pal Anders Ullevalseter, Norway, KTM 3:51 
9, Jacek Czachor, Poland, KTM, 4:38 
10, Miran Stanovnik, Slovenia, KTM, 5:16 
11. Teus Visser, Netherland, KTM 5:48 
15, Ruben Faria, Portugal, KTM, at 8:34
 
Final Overall Results 
1, Marc Coma, Spain, KTM 
2, Cyril Despres, France, KTM, at 15:04
3, Helder Rodrigues, Portugal, Yamaha, 1:40:20 
4, Chaleco Lopez, Chile, Aprilia, 
5, Juan Pedrero, Spain, KTM at 3:07:03 
6, Pal Anders Ullevalseter, Norway, KTM at 3:32:56 
7, Jean De Azevedo, Brazil, KTM, 3:59:38 
8, Ruben Faria, Portugal, KTM, at 4:13:01 
9, Jacek Czachor, Poland, KTM at 9:38:41 
10, Henk Knuiman, Netherlands, KTM 6:14:46 
11, Miran Stanovnik, Slovenia, KTM 6:13:49

2011 Easyriders Tour, Limpnickie Lot & Sons of Anarchy

The Easyriders 2011 Bike Show Tour invades LA this Saturday, Jan. 8th with over 250 of the planets hottest bikes on display, the world's top bike builders, and the star of TV's #1 hit show "Sons Of Anarchy" Charlie Hunnam "Jax". 

The Limpnickie Lot, next generation of bike builders has joined this year's tour. Look for the next generation of bike builders at upcoming shows in Sacramento, CA - Charlotte, N.C. - Knoxville, TN and Columbus, OH.

The Limpnickie Lot is a collaboration of custom bike builders and American Parts manufacturers from the next generation of the American V-Twin industry. Comprised of small shops and individuals it is their mission to ban together to promote their unique blend of culture and style derived from many younger influences including Motocross, skateboarding, heavy music, BMX, and other aspects of the next generation.

You can get $3 off admission @ easyridersevents.com.

The LA Show is 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the L.A. Convention Center, 1201 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles.

The Tour moves to Sacramento, CA - January 15 & 16 and to the Charlotte, N.C. Convention Center for shows on January 22 & 23.

February 5th - The Easyriders Show will be at the Knoxville Convention Center, 701 Henley Street, Knoxville, TN.

Then the tour moves to Columbus, OH for shows on February 11th to 13th 2011.

Click the tour flyer to enlarge for details.

The Limpnickie Lot is a collaboration of custom bike builders and American Parts manufacturers from the next generation of the American V-Twin industry. Comprised of small shops and individuals it is their mission to ban together to promote their unique blend of culture and style derived from many younger influences including Motocross, skateboarding, heavy music, BMX, and other aspects of the next generation.

By making appearances at several national and regional rallies throughout the year the group intends to bring as much attention to both this movement and their products as is possible.

 Also at the top of their goals is to take the whole motorcycle culture a step back to a more basic time. With a large amount of respect for the history that it has, they hope that by focusing on the riding and adventure, self expression and freedoms that have always been inseparable from the culture that they may influence the direction of where it goes next.

New Year's Day: Dakar Race Begins

The 33rd running of the Dakar Rally begans in Buenos Aires on New Year's Day, covering a looping 9,000 kilometers between Argentina and Chile in 16 days.
Designed to test both riders and machinery to the limits of endurance, the race loops through Argentina and Chile, covering a huge variety of terrain, including the Andes and the Atacama Desert, recognized as the driest place on the planet.

The 2011 Dakar Rally reached full registration in the bike and quad categories, four months ago promising to offer excitement for all participants and avid off-road race fans.

Pictured (above) Spain's Gerard Farres Guell kicks up sand with his Aprilia during the 4th stage of the Dakar 2010 between Fiambala, Argentina, and Copiapo, Chile on January 5, 2010. Spain's Marc Coma won the stage, France's David Casteu took the second place and France's Cyril Despres the third. (GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images.) See more pictures.

This Year's Course
This year, riders will go very close to Bolivia and reach the northern-most tip of Chile on the border of Peru. To increase the level of suspense, organizers have designed the route so that the more difficult stages are in the second half of the rally. Read full article.

Last year, 362 Teams began the race with 176 motorcycles and quad bikes, 134 cars, and 52 trucks. 187 Teams finished the race, including 88 bikes, 14 quads, 57 cars and 28 trucks.

Click the map for an enlarged view.

The 2008 Dakar rally was cancelled on the eve of the race due to terrorist threats in North Africa, and organizers decided to move the event to South America.

A limited 200 motorcycles and quads are allowed to start the race, in order to provide for the best possible management of the sporting event. 

In the 33rd edition of the now famous race, the maximum engine size has been limited to 450cc. So racers like Cyril Despres and Marc Coma can no longer dominate the race on their 640+ cc KTM engines, but will instead be running on the new KTM 450s.

It will be a new era for the Austrian KTM motorcycle manufacturer with four factory-supported riders competing on the latest KTM 450 Rally enduro motorcycle. KTM will be attempting to capture the enduro title for the tenth consecutive time. 

Spearheading the KTM attack are two Dakar trophy riders that are recognized as the world's finest exponents of the sport - French-born Cyril Despres and Spaniard Marc Coma.

In 2011 they lead two separate teams and their co-riders are Ruben Faria of Portugal and Juan Pedrero Garcia of Spain. All four riders will be onboard the brand new KTM 450 Rally bike, which has been designed by KTM's R & D Department in close cooperation with the KTM Racing Department with valuable input from the two key factory riders.

The KTM 450 Rally has been specifically developed for the Dakar in response to a rule change by the organizers in 2009, which limited the engine size down to 450 cc.

The new bike, unveiled to the general public at Milan's EICMA Motorcycle Show in November, first saw action in the Rally of Morocco in October 2010 when Cyril Despres won the title.

Riders can cover 800-900 km (500-560 miles) per day, although some stages are shorter. The majority of the competitors are amateurs, many competing to fulfill a lifelong dream. KTM is not only at the Dakar to support its own factory riders but also to give practical support to a large contingent of privateers.

Canadian Bike Shows January to July 2011

The North American International Motorcycle Supershow, Jan. 7 to 9th at the International Centre in Toronto kicks off a season of Canadian bike shows, judged by IMBBA Canada. 


More than $50,000 in cash and prizes is up for grabs, including $12,000 in cash. To register a bike and for more details, visit the website: North American Supershow 2011.

World of Motorcycles Expo shows will be held in London, Ontario, Feb.11-13, 2011, and in Kitchener, Ontario, March 19-20, 2011. Click the flyer image to enlarge for details. Here is a list of  exhibit vendors. To register a bike visit: womex.ca

Bob McKay and his team of IMBBA Canada judges will be in Quebec in April for the 12th Annual Classic Bike and Tattoo Show: April 15 to 17, 2011 at the SportXpo Centre near Montreal.

"This show will be the last chance to qualify for the seventh and final Canadian spot in the 2012 IMBBA World Cup Competition show that will be held in Laval in conjunction with the 2012 Classic Bike and Tattoo Show," said McKay. For details visit: IMBBA.ca.


Click to enlarge event flyer for details or visit: http://www.prosproduction.com/

Then, get ready for the Great Canadian Bike Rally, July 14 to 17, 2011 on the west coast of Canada in Merritt British Columbia. Check out their web page for more details. http://www.greatcanadianbikerally.com/

Maximum Bike Registration For 2011 Dakar Rally

The Dakar Rally has reached full registration in the bike and quad categories, four months ahead of the start of the rally raid. The 33rd edition of the Dakar will take place in Argentina and Chile from January 1st to 16th, 2011.



The 2010 Dakar Rally began and ended in Buenos Aires, covering a looping 9,000 kilometers between Argentina and Chile over 14 stages. 362 Teams began the race with 176 motorcycles and quad bikes, 134 cars, and 52 trucks. 187 Teams finished the race, including 88 bikes, 14 quads, 57 cars and 28 trucks.

Collected here are several photographs from the first 8 stages of Dakar Rally 2010 (37 photos total) including this photo of Spain's Gerard Farres Guell kicking up sand with his Aprilia during the 4th stage of the Dakar 2010 between Fiambala, Argentina, and Copiapo, Chile on January 5, 2010. Spain's Marc Coma won the stage, France's David Casteu took the second place and France's Cyril Despres the third. (GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images)

The History of The Dakar Rally
The adventure began back in 1977, when Thierry Sabine got lost on his motorbike in the Libyan desert during the Abidjan-Nice Rally. He survived the extreme desert sand conditions and returned home to France, enthralled by the landscape and promising to share his fascination with as many people as possible.

He proceeded to come up with a route starting in Europe, continuing to Algiers and crossing Agadez before eventually finishing at Dakar. The founder coined a motto for his inspiration: "A challenge for those who go. A dream for those who stay behind."

Courtesy of his great conviction and that modicum of madness peculiar to all great ideas, the plan quickly became a reality. Since then, the Paris-Dakar, a unique event sparked by the spirit of adventure, open to all riders and carrying a message of friendship between all men, has never failed to challenge, surprise and excite. Over the course of more than thirty years, it has generated innumerable sporting and human stories.

This Year's Rally Course

A limited 200 motorcycles and quads are allowed to start the race, in order to provide for the best possible management of the sporting event. As requests for further registrations are still flowing in, a waiting list has been established to allow a few more riders to join the race should any of the already registered contenders drop out in the weeks to come.

Click the map for an enlarged view.

In the 33rd edition of the now famous race, the maximum engine size has been limited to 450cc. So racers like Cyril Despres and Marc Coma can no longer dominate the race on their 640+ cc KTM engines, but will instead be running on the new KTM 450s.

After Aprilia – which managed to put Francisco “Chaleco” Lopez on the podium for his very first time in the raid – it is now BMW that has registered and is sporting big ambitions with the creation of the Speedbrain BMW Rally Team. The new team immediately hired David Frétigné and Frans Verhoeven, who first test drove the machine in 2010.

Bearing in mind that all the riders in the elite category have to register with a 450cc, the new outsiders will race on equal terms with the usual duel contenders Cyril Despres and Marc Coma, who both won the last five editions of the raid they participated in on KTM bikes. In the struggle for final victory, we will also have to count with the expertise of Yamaha with 450cc bikes, and on Honda and Sherco riders of the likes of David Casteu.

Source:: Dakar.com

2010 Dakar Rally - Buenos Aires Race to South Africa

The 32st running of the Dakar Rally began and will end in Buenos Aires, covering a looping 9,000 kilometers between Argentina and Chile over 14 stages. 362 Teams began the race with 176 motorcycles and quad bikes, 134 cars, and 52 trucks. The race is just over halfway completed now, the winners expected to cross the finish line on January 16th. Collected here are several photographs from the first 8 stages of this year's rally. (37 photos total)

Spain's Gerard Farres Guell kicks up sand with his Aprilia during the 4th stage of the Dakar 2010 between Fiambala, Argentina, and Copiapo, Chile on January 5, 2010. Spain's Marc Coma won the stage, France's David Casteu took the second place and France's Cyril Despres the third. (GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images)