Red Bull KTM Factory Racing ready for the Dakar Rally
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Kevin Benavides and Toby Price are fully focused on success as they make final preparations for the 2024 Dakar Rally, which starts on January 5 in Saudi Arabia. Matthias Walkner will unfortunately miss the race after a recent injury to his left leg.
Kevin Benavides heads into the 2024 Dakar as the reigning champion and has his sights set on winning two titles at the iconic event. However, the 2023 season was not a pleasant one for the 34-year-old Argentinian, with injuries forcing him to miss several matches over the course of the year. Despite suffering another frustrating injury to his leg during training in December, Benavides hopes to be close to 100% fit for Dakar and focus on his goal of taking home the trophy for the second year in a row.
Kevin Benavides: "The Dakar means everything to me. This year was special because I won with KTM and had the honor of fighting with my teammate until the end. The rest of the year was really tough. I was confident after my Dakar victory, but when I broke my femur and later my wrist at the beginning of the season, I didn't get much race time on the bike.”
“Behind the scenes I trained as hard as I could to rebuild my fitness and mental strength, but it has certainly been a difficult year. Now, heading into a new year and a new Dakar, I really want to put 2023 behind me and fight for victory again. I know I have what it takes, we just have to get through it without any setbacks and then I should be in a good position at the end of the race."
Toby Price missed out on victory in the 2023 Dakar Rally by just 43 seconds after two tough weeks of racing and has only one goal for 2024: to take his third career win. Price had a strong racing season in 2023, ending his year with a convincing victory in the Rallye du Maroc. In 2024, Toby will celebrate his 10th Dakar and he hopes to celebrate that milestone by topping the time charts at the finish in Yanbu on January 19.
Toby Price: "The 2024 Dakar will be my 10th overall and my ninth for the KTM factory team. Out of the nine we rode together, I managed to finish six on the podium, which is incredible considering how tough the race is and how difficult it is to even reach the finish line. I've had two first places, a second and three third places – to get another win on my 10th attempt would be great.”
“Dakar is like no other race. Sure, the riding is hard work, fun and tiring, but I love the way everyone comes together to complete the race. Dakar is like my second family, so it's always good to see everyone, get ready for the race and get my competitive side back. I'm in a good place physically and the bike is good – we're definitely ready for Dakar 2024."
Unfortunately, Matthias Walkner will miss the 2024 Dakar Rally due to an injury to his left leg that he sustained during training in the United States. The 37-year-old driver immediately underwent surgery to stabilize the fracture, but will have to undergo further surgery after his return to Austria.
The 46th edition of the Dakar Rally will be held from January 5 to 19, 2024, with the start in AlUla and the finish two weeks later in Yanbu on the Red Sea. In total, the participants will cover almost 8.000 km, of which 5.000 km against the clock. For the fifth year in Saudi Arabia, the 2024 rally will feature 14 days of competition, including an opening prologue and a 48-hour stage.
The new 48-hour stage will stop at 16.00:7.00 PM on the first day and start again at 60:5.000 AM the next day. The organizers have promised an incredibly challenging race with XNUMX% new terrain and more than XNUMXkm of special stages.
Photos: KTM
Also to read
The Husky boys about their race in Lugo
The super fast sixth MXGP was held in Lugo, in the center of Spain. Lucas Coenen was able to take his first win of the season while Mattia Guadagnini collected valuable points with…VIDEO: Andrea Verona and Josep Garcia dominate in Romania
The 3rd GP of the Enduro World Championship was held this weekend in Romania. Andrea Verona and Josep Garcia shared the victories. Steve Holcombe put his Honda on the…A medical update from sidecarcrosser Jason Vandaele
After the second series of the Grand Prix sidecar cross in Heerde, Jason Vandaele had to go to the hospital for a medical check-up. There was a broken rib, two fractures to his eye socket...Dano Verstraten breaks tibia and fibula
Last week Dano Verstraten fell during training. The Brabander broke his tibia and fibula. As a result, the season of the 12-year-old cross rider is over prematurely. …
Your reactions