2011 Dakar KTM News

In this YouTube video, KTM describes what it takes to ready the KTM 450 Rally for the upcoming Argentina Chile Dakar Rally Jan. 1 through the 16.

In 2011, the Dakar route takes the competitors to the extreme northern regions of Argentina and Chile, and the Bolivian and Peru borders. Then a rest day at Africa before heading back towards Buenos Aires.

Since the KTM 450 Rally's victorious debut at 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).

Here's the whole Red Bull KTM team that will get the KTM 450 Rally ready for 2011 Dakar: Cyril Despres and support rider Ruben Faria, mechanics Roland Bruckner and Sébastien Fortanier and team staff Alex Antor, Chris Evans, Denis Gardette, Harald Leichtfried and Benjamin Melot, the same personnel as for 2010, were all able to come together one last time before they meet up again late December in Buenos Aires.

Cyril Despres (KTM Rally 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."