KTM 18th consecutive Dakar Rally!

263392_winners_stage10_Red-Bull-KTM-Factory-Racing_Dakar2019_469-680x454.jpg MotorSports

[Kenny Sagawa: Webike news editor in chief]

I finished 1-2-3 monopolized podium

The 41st Dakar Rally 2019 was held in Peru, South America, closed after a ten-day fight and falling to 1/17. The champion KTM aiming for 18 consecutive victories and HONDA challenge with HONDA to challenge for the first victory in 30 years took on the appearance of the all-out battle, but after finishing KTM ranked 1st to 3rd in the podium result. And Husqvarna, which became affiliated with KTM, showed the big leaps of entering fourth and fifth.

Meanwhile, the HONDA men who challenged with the factory team system by placing five CRF450 Rally are the highest in the 7th place of Cornejo. It was also unfortunate that Ace's balleta was forced to retire due to the accident while fast running at the top of the opening, but also this time KTM stronghold could not be broken.

Therefore, this time I like like to unlock the secret of the strength of KTM (which is Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) which podium on the 1-2-3 finish.

Reliable high near commercial models

This year Dakar Rally 2019 this year held in Peru became a difficult course with a shorter total journey of 5,000 km than usual, of which desert accounted for 70%. Although it is short as a distance, the competition is made high speed and the engine power is eaten in the desert so that it is inevitable to raise the rotation speed by necessarily running. And it goes over the huge sand dunes that are going on, sometimes it gets shocked like dropping from the third floor of the building.

2019 Dakar Rally, Peru Photographer : Marcin Kin

In addition to extreme temperature changes, fine sand grains like powder are coming in without mercy even during maintenance. In other words, it is Dakar Rally that the ultimate toughness is required for both engine, car body and electronic parts.

2019 Dakar Rally, Peru Photographer : Marcin Kin

In addition, the factory machine of KTM is basically the same structure as the commercial model KTM 450 rally. In that sense, because there are few special parts, it is easy to share parts with a commercial model, which is also leading to improved reliability.

Achieving a brilliant shining performance in the off-road world

Recently, KTM has strengthened the asphalt color, such as MotoGP participation in the market and on-road sports models such as the DUKE series even in the commercial models, but its true value is on off-road.

The Dakar Rally 18 consecutive championships, other motorsports are also overwhelmingly strong, but also the "Enduro World Championship" held mainly in Europe since 1990, and 2003 World Championship was upgraded from 2003 KTM can be said to be the emperor of the off-road world, such as boasting a number of title acquisitions in the durable off-road racing such as the "Cross Country Rally World Championship".

2019 Dakar Rally, Peru Photographer : Marcin Kin

Absorbs Husqvarna's strength, a rival

The existence of Husqvarna who entered the KTM group company in 2013 is also great. Because Husk, Sweden's oldest bicycle brand, is a manufacturer that has boasted the winning rate next to KTM in the durable off-road race mentioned above. As KTM, we acquired that know-how and experience value by acquiring Husk which was the biggest rival of those days at the time. It is obvious that the essence of the KTM 450 rally of the champion machine is naturally injected to the Husky who won fourth place and fifth place after the KTM in the Dakar Rally 2019 as well. In fact, Husq 's Pablo Quintanilla competed with KTM, such as putting KTM Top' s price on the second place with one-minute difference until the final stage.

Dream team with superior first-class riders

Of course, the KTM and the riders are superb first class. Tobie Price of the 2 Wheels Division championship brought the Australians' first Dakar victory in 2016 and the winner who also won the Cross Country Rally World Championship title in 2018. It was a favorable run in the midst of being injured as a result of the injury of the left wrist during training and fulfilled the responsibility as an ace while enduring the pain.

2019 Dakar Rally, Peru Photographer : Marcin Kin

In addition, Matthias Walken who entered second place is the defending champion who controlled Dakar last year, and Samu Sunderland of the 3rd place has too many luxurious actors as 2017 champion. KTM's strength is also a thick player group where everyone can run top.

KTM knows how to fight Dakar

This is a story that I heard from stakeholders, but KTM is relatively small compared to other factory teams, and the sense of distance between team director and athlete, engineer, and a mechanic is close. I have close communication and everyone is on good terms like a friend. This flexibility will surely work well for team decision making and rider mental aspects.

2019 Dakar Rally, Peru Photographer : Marcin Kin

In general, will it be that KTM knows how to fight the race? I am looking forward to seeing what kind of drama will be shown at the Dakar Rally next year.

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