Dakar Rally Archives

Yamaha Bids Farewell To Dakar And FIM Rally Series

Yamaha incredible journey in rally racing comes to an end as the company bids farewell to Dakar and FIM Rally Series.

Yamaha is the only team to participate in all 43 Dakar Rally, with Cyril Neveu handed the Japanese firm first victory at the 1979 Paris-Dakar, onboard the Yamaha XT 500.

Neveu delivered another victory a year later for Team Blue, however, while the Frenchman continued to rack up wins in 82, ’86 and ’87 (with a different outfit), Yamaha only returns to the podium in 1991 with Stephane Peterhansel and Italy’s Edie Orioli delivering six more victories aboard the Yamaha YZE 750T and YZE 850T.

Unfortunately, Peterhansel’s 1998 campaign was Yamaha’s last Dakar win, with KTM emerging as a new powerhouse in Dakar and the FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship.

Despite the struggle against the Austrian machine, Yamaha came in strong for the 2022 Dakar Rally, with factory rider Adrien Van Beveren turning in a solid display.

Van Beveren led the overall standings with only two legs to go, but a navigational issue in the penultimate round relinquished the lead to the eventual winner, Gas Gas Rider Sam Sunderland.

According to Yamaha Europe President Eric De Seyness, the decision to exit from the two most established rally competitions was due to the ever-changing market.

“While the Dakar Rally has managed to stay close to its roots while leaving its spiritual homeland of Africa, the world around it has changed a lot.

“Our off-road customers have different expectations and are looking for different products, and we need to cater to that if we want to stay connected. For this reason, we have decided to end our long history on two wheels in the Dakar Rally and in the World Championship,” he said.

2022 Dakar: Danilo Petrucci Takes Maiden Dakar Stage Win

Danilo Petrucci just became the first former MotoGP rider to win a Dakar Rally stage at the 2022 Dakar.

It was an exceptional Day 5 for the Italian after finishing stage four at third place, his first-ever podium after leaving MotoGP.

While some might suggest it was pure luck, that thought was single-handedly shut down by Petrucci as he came out on top of Stage 5 despite getting into his first Dakar crash.

“Today was quite a long day. I set off this morning and decided I really wanted to learn and improve my navigation, so I didn’t push too hard at the beginning.

“After one corner there was a large dune with a group of camels on the other side. One big camel came into the track, and I had to avoid it but ended up crashing after going across a lot of bumps and camel grass.

“That was my very first crash of this Dakar. After that I eased off a bit and Kevin caught up with me and we rode together towards the finish,” said Petrucci.

Despite coming in second place, 4 minutes 14 seconds behind fellow KTM Toby Price, the latter was handed a six-minute penalty for speeding, subsequently handing Petrucci his first Dakar stage win in just his fifth attempt.

Petrucci started the endurance rather strongly, storming the first stage at 13th place.

However, his KTM 450 Rally suffered a mechanical issue during Stage 2 after passing kilometre 115, which also ended his chance to finish the 2022 Dakar within the classification.

Nevertheless, he bounced back in Stage 3 and got to finish in 22nd place, 9 minutes 21 seconds off the winner.

Two-time motocross world champion, Heinz Kinigadner had high praise for the KTM rider who is considered a rookie in Dakar.

“Danilo Petrucci rode incredibly in the fourth stage. He made rally aces look almost ridiculous on Wednesday, to the point of embarrassing them,” he said.

2022 Dakar: Danilo Petrucci Ends Stage 4 At Third Place

Former MotoGP rider, Danilo Petrucci managed to overcome his frustration to complete the fourth stage at third place.

The Italian had to sit out the second stage of the race after his KTM 450 Rally suffered mechanical problems.

He then bounced back to complete the 3rd stage at 22nd place before securing a podium in stage four of the race.

The ex-Ducati and KTM rider secured a third-place finish behind Pablo Quintanilla and Joan Barreda, who came out on top with his Honda.

The result saw Petrucci emerge as the best rookie of the day despite crossing the finish line with a 7-minute gap to Barreda.

Nevertheless, in terms of overall standings, Sam Sunderland (GASGAS Factory Racing) retains his lead of the race ahead of Matthias Walkner (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Adrien van Beveren (Monster Energy Yamaha Rally Team).

Danilo Petrucci Headed To MotoAmerica After Dakar

Danilo Petrucci is making headlines in the 2022 Dakar Rally after finishing 13th overall after Stage 1B.

However, the former MotoGP rider had to be rescued by a helicopter after his KTM 450 Rally broke down, which effectively ended his bid for a good result in his debut.

Nevertheless, another rumour is going around that the ex-Ducati and KTM rider is heading to MotoAmerica for the 2022 season.

The Italian confirmed the news during an interview with Motosan.es.

“After MotoGP and the Dakar, I will go to MotoAmerica,” said Petrucci.

According to rumours, Petrucci will ride onboard a Ducati Panigale V4 R at the American series next season with the HSBK Racing team.

Despite no official confirmation from both parties, Petrucci impending arrival to MotoAmerica will certainly up the level of competition and the race profile of racing in the US.

(Source: MotoAmerica)

CONFIRMED: Petrucci To Make 2022 Dakar Rally Debut With KTM

Danilo Petrucci will fulfil his lifetime dream switch to Dakar Rally after the 2021 MotoGP season concludes.

The Italian rider is a skilled off-road rider in enduro and motocross; however, he understands the discipline and demands of rally racing is on a different spectrum.

Petrucci has already begun his rally preparation with a little help from the experts, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s 2018 Dakar winner and recently crowned FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Champion Matthias Walkner.

Two-time Dakar champion Toby Price, and reigning Dakar champion Kevin Benavides will also help the former Ducati rider in getting the right mindset ahead of the 2022 Dakar Rally season.

“For me, it is a dream come true to race the Dakar. It’s an event I’ve always wanted to do since I was a child when I was watching videotapes of the Dakar Rally from the 80s and 90s,” said Petrucci.

“Now, thanks to KTM, this dream is coming true. First, I would like to thank KTM for this great opportunity; I think I will be the only rider that has competed in MotoGP and then the Dakar Rally in just over one month – so it is with great pride that I go there.

“My main target is just to finish the race and enjoy it. The first approach was to have some roadbook training with Jordi, he competed in the race many times and finished on the podium, so he has been great in helping me learn this special art,” said Petrucci.

Petrucci began his career in MotoGP with Came Ioda Racing Project in 2012 before moving to Pramac Racing three years later.

He was then promoted to the Ducati factory team in 2019, where he achieved his first premier class win at home before ending the season in 6th place.

Petrucci left Ducati at the end of the 2020 season after agreeing to join Tech3 KTM.

Rali Dakar 2021: Terbabit Kemalangan, Pierre Cherpin Meninggal Dunia

Pelumba Rali Dakar,, Pierre Cherpin, disahkan meninggal dunia setelah terbabit kemalangan pada 10 Januari lalu.

Cherpin terbabit kemalangan semasa Peringkat 7 dari Ha’il ke Sakaka Di Arab Saudi selepas melepasi jarak 178 kilometer.

Ketika kemalangan dengan jentera Honda CRF 300, pelumba berusia 52 tahun itu didapati tidak sedarkan diri dan telah digegaskan ke hospital Sakaka dengan pemeriksaan lanjut mendapati dia mengalami kecederaan kepala serius.

Meskipun keadaannya menjadi stabil dan diletakkan dalam ‘induced coma’, dia meninggal dunia sewaktu dalam peringkat pemindahan ke hospital Lille di Perancis dari Jeddah.

Ini merupakan penglibatan kali keempat Cherpin di Rali Dakar selepas membuat kemunculan sulung pada 2009 di Amerika Selatan.

Menurut kenyataan dari penganjur, Cherpin sertai Rali Dakar bukan untuk menang, sebaliknya menggunakan peluang itu untuk menunggang motosikal bagi menikmati landskap pelbagai.

“Segalanya mengujakan, menunggang motosikal merupakan minat saya,” kata Cherpin menuru penganjur.

Bertanding dalam kategori ‘Original by Motul’ (kategori motosikal tanpa bantuan), Cherpin menduduki tempat ke-77 keseluruhan ketika Peringkat 6.

Rali Dakar: Alami Kemalangan, Paulo Goncalves Disahkan Meninggal Dunia

Pelumba Portugal, Paulo Goncalves, telah meninggal dunia ketika mengalami kemalangan di peringkat ketujuh perlumbaan Rali Dakar di Arab Saudi, semalam.

Menurut pihak penganjur, pelumba berusia 40 tahun itu – yang membuat penampilan ke-13 sejak kali pertama menyertai perlumbaan itu pada 2006 – mengalami kemalangan 276 kilometer setelah berlepas dari Riyadh menuju ke Wadi Al Dawasir.

Berdasarkan kenyataan, helikopter telah dihantar bagi menghulurkan bantuan dan mendapati Goncalves tidak sedarkan diri.

Dia kemudiannya dibawa ke Hospital Layla sebelum disahkan meninggal dunia.

Goncalves merupakan pesaing pertama yang meninggal dunia dalam perlumbaan terbabit sejak Michal Hernik di Argentina pada 2015.

Ketika perlumbaan pada Jumaat, Goncalves mengalami masalah enjin lalu terpaksa membuat pertukaran enjin secara bersendirian setelah pasukannya mengirim enjin baharu menerusi bantuan pasukan lawan.

Pelumba berpengalaman itu dengan tangkas menukar enjin terbabit lalu menyambung perlumbaan.

Aksi pada Ahad yang merangkumi jarak lebih 546km menyaksikan pelumba KTM, Kevin Benavides – yang turut memberhentikan jenteranya bagi menghulurkan bantuan kepada Goncalves – muncul juara.

Sementara juara bertahan, Toby Price – yang turut berhenti dan cuba membantu Goncalves – menamatkan aksi di tempat keempat.

(SUMBER: trtworld.com)

Paulo Goncalves dies in Dakar Rally crash

The Dakar Rally 2020 mourned the lost of Paulo Goncalves of Hero Motosports Rally Team as he passed away after succumbing to injuries suffered in an accident in Saudi Arabia. The veteran rider who was the runner-up back in 2015 crashed his rally machine in Stage 7 at the 276km mark. The organisers of the Dakar Rally have released a statement regarding the tragic incident. (more…)

Rali Dakar 2020 Akan Dianjurkan Di Arab Saudi

Perlumbaan Rali Dakar akan berpindah ke Arab Saudi bermula tahun 2020.
Perubahan ini bertitik tolak daripada kebimbangan berkenaan dengan politik dan kewangan di Amerika Selatan.
Satu sidang akhbar akan diadakan pada 25 April bagi menjelaskan lagi mengenai pertukaran tersebut.

(more…)

Confirmed: Dakar Rally Moving to Saudi Arabia in 2020

The Dakar Rally is moving to Saudi Arabia beginning 2020.
The move is due to political and monetary concerns in South America.
Stay tuned for the press conference on 25^thApril.

The Dakar Rally is moving to Saudi Arabia beginning 2020, after months of speculation.

Rumours of the end of the series in South America began within weeks after the completion of the 2019 edition. There were also rumours of the race heading back to Africa, albeit in the south. Soon, an Instagram post claimed that the Saudis were lobbying to hold the race.

Confirmation of the move was confirmed by a Dakar Rally’s official Facebook post.

Africa had hosted the rally since the beginning but political upheavals in Mauritania forced the cancellation of the 2008 edition. The organizers decided to move to the South American continent, where the rally was held in Argentina, Bolivia and Peru.

However, more political and financial concerns dogged the Dakar, forcing it to be held in Peru along earlier this year.

That’s when rumours began circulating that it might head back to the African continent, but will take place in South Africa, Namibia, Angola and Botswana instead of in the historic northern regions.

But an Instagram post by a competitor identified the Saudi kingdom as the next venue. The rally will now cover part of the 3.6 million square kilometre Arabian desert.

The Dakar’s organizer Amaury Sport Organization (ASO) confirmed that they have inked a five-year deal with Saudi Arabia. The kingdom is now an addition as a motorsport venue in the Arabian Peninsula along with Qatar, Oman and United Arab Emirates.

A press conference will be held on 25^thApril to reveal the details of the 2020 Dakar Rally.

Toby Price Menangi Rali Dakar 2019 Dengan Pergelangan Tangan Yang Retak

Toby Price telah memenangi perlumbaan Rali Dakar 2019 dengan pergelangan tangan yang retak.
Ini adalah kemenangan Rali Dakar keduanya sejak tahun 2016.
KTM telah memenangi perlumbaan rali ini buat kali ke-18 berturut-turut.

(more…)

Toby Price Wins Dakar Rally 2019 with Broken Wrist

Toby Price wins the Dakar Rally 2019 with a broken wrist.
It was his second Dakar win since 2016.
KTM has won at the rally 18^thtimes in a row.

Speaking of broken wrists, Australian Toby Price won the Dakar Rally 2019 despite riding with that injury.

Price came into the 10^thand final stage of the rally with a slender one-minute lead over Chilean Pablo Quintanilla. They had covered almost 5,200 kilometres up to that point.

However, Quintanilla crashed after a mere 10 kilometres into the 112-kilometre stage from Pisco to Lima. He injured his foot which cost him 19 minutes, dropping him to fourth overall. Quintanilla’s misfortune let Price romp home to win the stage win and the overall lead.

Price’s feat was heroic as he rode with a broken scaphoid. He had broken the bone a few weeks prior to the Dakar’s flag-off.

The Red Bull KTM factory rider had thought about just racing for two stages before pulling out. But he kept going as his team provided impeccable support in addition to some luck.

“Pretty much all I can say is that it feels like there are about five people driving a knife in my wrist now,” Price said. He had spent 10 agonising days of being jolted and bumped across the dunes and desert.

“It’s not very comfortable, it’s not very enjoyable. Now I’ll just wait and see what damage I’ve done to my wrist.”

It was Price’s second Dakar win since 2016, and KTM’s 18^thsuccessive victory.

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Dakar Rally

The Dakar Rally is moving to Saudi Arabia beginning 2020.

The move is due to political and monetary concerns in South America.

Stay tuned for the press conference on 25th April.

Toby Price wins the Dakar Rally 2019 with a broken wrist.

It was his second Dakar win since 2016.

KTM has won at the rally 18thtimes in a row.

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Stay tuned for the press conference on 25^thApril.

KTM has won at the rally 18^thtimes in a row.