The 2011 Dakar rally has a list of the usual suspects for its motorcycle categories, but with a few changes in the number of participants. Making its presence felt is the new 450cc capacity rules, meaning that KTM has a lot less bikes in the rally this year than previously. There will be a reduction from 126 to 62 KTM bikes, but the flipside is that other manufacturers are increasing their competition, with Yamaha, Honda, Aprilia and BMW all entering extra bikes.

This is not to say that KTM won’t take home the prize in the 2011 Dakar anyway with its new 450 Rally bike; it’s been on a winning run since 2000 after all. Last year, though, it had to share the podium with the new Aprilia RXV 4.5. Meanwhile, news has broken that before Harley-Davidson killed off the Buell brand, there was an Erik Buell 450cc off-road model in the works.

According to an interview between Buell and motorcycle journalist Alan Cathcart, that offroad project is back in the development books. The 450cc Buell offroader uses a single-cylinder Rotax motor and has an aluminium frame, although it may not be the lightest bike in this segment. While Erik Buell Racing is clearly born of track roots and will probably stay that way, it plans on investing specifically in the reliability of its offroad model.

Continue reading: The 2011 Dakar rally and future Erik Buell offroader in the works?

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KTM already saw its dominance of the offroad racing segment slip slightly at the 2010 Dakar as Aprilia’s new RXV450 Rally bike took third spot on the podium, behind two KTM models. And things seem to be continuing swimmingly for the Aprilia RXV 4.5 Rally as it takes on the Pharaons Rally with rider Francisco ‘Chaleco’ Lopez gaining a first spot in Stage 1 and second place in Stage 3. That stage favoured Aprilia as rider Gerard Farres came in first.

The offroad and rally segment is being shaken up a little with contenders like the Yamaha Super Tenere back in form and the Aprilia RXV4.5 Rally proving its mettle. It looks like the KTM era might be over, but then it’s fair to say rule changes in the Dakar rally have forced them into developing bikes in different ways, too.

The transition time for KTM has meant that other manufacturers have also been able to make their mark. The only thing which might put a spanner in the works for Aprilia is the company plan announcement from Piaggio that Aprilia will focus on sports bike models in the future. In fact, looking at their press site, Aprilia is clearly proud of its manufacturer’s title and championship win with Max Biaggi in the 2010 WSBK, but there’s no mention from Aprilia Racing of its recent exploits in rally racing. Here’s hoping they stick around and are successful in the 2011 Dakar to broaden the competitors in this segment.

Source | Motorbiker.org

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Here are some pics of the Aprilia RXV 4.5 in action live at the 2010 Dakar. In a successful result, Aprilia came in third overall with Francisco Lopez as the rider, after winning three first places throughout the various stages. Aprilia also put in an appearance with Italian riders Paolo Ceci and Alex Zanotti, who came first and second in the 450 Super Production class, and 14th and 18th overall.

Lopez has said he never could have believed it possible, after having a dream for many years that he would find himself on the Dakar podium. He also came first in the stage in Chile, his own country, and experienced particular difficulty in Stage Seven, on breaking the chain on his bike. We’re all too familiar with the highs and lows of the gruelling Dakar, but it’s been nice to see the Aprilia up there with the KTM bikes. Check it out in the pictures, and see the video on Despres’ victory after the jump.

Aprilia RXV 4.5 in action at Dakar

Continue reading: Aprilia RXV 4.5 in action at Dakar

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Dakar 2010 has concluded with Cyril Despres and his KTM taking out first place. Pal Ander Ullevalseter came second, also on a KTM, but what a success story for Aprilia! The RXV 4.5, ridden by Francisco Lopez, came in third in a fantastic result for its first official participation in Dakar.

The final stage was to Buenos Aires was won by Ruben Faria, with Ullevalseter coming second and sealing his overall place. On his overall victory, Despres said it was a hard Dakar this year, but he never doubted he would win it. The last stage was fast and easy and takes the riders into Argentina’s capital after 15 days and nearly 9,000 km of racing. See the final results first to fifth, after the jump.

Continue reading: Aprilia RXV 4.5 Rally Dakar podium place

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Over the shortened route for the Stage 9 of Dakar 2010, Marc Coma won the stage with his KTM. The stage was about 170 km long due to severe fog in some areas, and it also marks the last stage in the Acatama desert.

Francisco Lopez‘ new Aprilia RXV 4.5 continues to do well at third overall and coming in third for this stage after Cyril Despres with his KTM. The brand also took out fourth spot, before Yamaha came in fifth with rider David Fretigné. Despres is in first place overall before Stage 10 starts.

Stage Nine:
1° #1 Marc Coma (SPA) KTM;
2° #2 Cyril Despres (FRA) KTM;
3° #9 Francisco Lopez (CHI) Aprilia;
4° #4 Pal Anders Ullevalseter (NOR) KTM;
5° #12 David Fretigné (FRA) Yamaha;

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The Aprilia RXV 4.5 has just won its first 2010 Dakar stage, with rider Francisco Lopez on board. The whacky but cool bike is a new entry for Aprilia, with the change to 450 cc models making it competitive this year. It has some nifty features in addition to the Dakar-needed help like the additional fuel tank and navigation equipment.

Lopez won the fifth stage in Aprilia’s first ever Dakar victory, crossing the Acatama desert in five hours and 52 minutes. Marc Coma experienced problems with the rear wheel of his bike, meaning he fell to 19th place. After the jump is a video with some great footage of the fifth stage, and the Aprilia win, as well as the placings for this stage. The sixth stage sees the riders cross the Andes, completing 670 km.

Continue reading: Aprilia RXV 4.5 first Dakar victory

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The first round of Dakar 2010 has concluded with a surprising first place to David Casteu with his Sherco, after 652 km of racing. Second place went to Cyril Despres and third place to favourite Marc Coma, both riding KTM bikes. Closing the top six were Jordi Viladoms (KTM), Francisco Lopez, with his Aprilia RXV 4.5, and David Fretigne on a Yamaha.

One participant in the legendary race is veteran Franco Picco, riding a Yamaha WR450F, marking 25 years from his first Dakar rally. The 54-year-old first appeared back in 1985 with a Yamaha TT600, winning overall third place.

Picco’s start has been marked with a sinister gesture though, when he found his bike sabotaged with someone having poured sugar in the engine. Luckily, it hasn’t created any permanent damage and he has been able to continue.

Continue reading: Sugar in your engine: Dakar goes ahead for Franco Picco and Yamaha WR450F

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