KTM has apparently listed some riders in next year’s Dakar race, despite previous reports that KTM had quit Dakar. The decision has come after a re-scheduling of the 450cc limit. The Dakar site reports:

Further to the numerous discussions that have taken place with the different actors of the motorcycles’ competition… the goal of a maximum cubic capacity of 450 cc is maintained. Nevertheless, so that the competitors can have more time, a new schedule has been set up.

For the Dakar 2010, the ASO Elite pilots must ride with a restrictor reducing the power of their bike, if its cubic capacity is over 450 cc. Or they may use a bike of a cubic capacity under or equal to 450 cc. The other pilots are free to choose their bike with no restriction.

The new restriction to 450cc will take place from 2011, with Elite pilots riding at or below the limit, and other riders using a limitor, while from 2012 the entire competition will feature bikes with less than 450cc.

Since the decision KTM has listed Marc Coma and other riders in the competition, after it had previously dropped out due to its current use of 654cc bikes. The decision to limit engines for Dakar is controversial, as many believe that 450cc bikes won’t go the distance. The KTM restrictor is still being designed, with no official word yet from the company.

Source | Hell for Leather via Dakar

(no votes)

0 comments