Dakar and KTM

KTM has been the dominant manufacturer in recent times having won each one of the last six Dakar’s and the Austrian manufacturer is by far the strongest in the bike line-up with no less than 128 riders.

KTM’s three factory teams (Gauloises, Repsol and Red Bull) include eight factory riders supported by 43 team members, including a doctor and two physiotherapists.    Two of the world’s leading rally riders Marc Coma and Cyril Despres are both top favourites riding orange machines.

Coma, in the Repsol team, won the 2006 rally after Despres, the winner in 2005 who rides for Gauloises, dislocated his collarbone and had to settle for second place.    KTM riders therefore face a particular challenge in 2007 — to live up to the 9 of 10 top places in last year’s race. This year it is safety-first for every KTM factory rider who will all wear the new neck-brace protection developed for KTM by South African doctor Chris Leatt and already tested in other international rallies by top KTM riders.

But when the riders start their motors on January 6, they are merely continuing the task that commenced months before as a massive exercise in logistics.

KTM not only services its factory teams but also supplies customer package support for an army of other private riders on KTM machines.

Accompanying the race for KTM will be five Rally Nissans, two T4 Racing Trucks and four T5 Assistance Trucks.

They are in effect complete workshops on wheels ready to supply mechanical, safety and any personal assistance in circumstances.

KTM transports between 36-38 tons of equipment for the race, including some two tons of selected spare parts and equipment air freighted to cover the contingency of the late arrival of a support vehicle, or if one is disabled during the event.