Breaking up with your high school sweetheart, watching the last episode of your favorite TV show, end of the summer vacation, throwing away your disintegrated pair of Chuck Taylors. After events like those, there is nothing but emptiness. And precisely that feeling of emptiness is left behind one of the best sporting events in the world – the rally Dakar. It’s over.
Well, it’s not really so dramatic, but still, it is a little bit sad, parting with such an exciting event after two weeks of eagerly awaiting reports, news, pictures and videos. And this year’s Dakar had indeed been an exciting one.
KTM factory riders dominated the Rally from the very beginning. The only uncertainty KTM had managed to experience was the constant question of the overall leader – if it is going to be their, three-time reigning champion, Cyril Despres, or their, three-time reigning champion, Marc Coma. Despres is now a four-time champion, leaving Coma one title behind. But, that is just what two of those guys do – they take turns in who is going to win the Rally. It all started with Despres winning his first title in 2005 on a KTM 660. The next year, the title went to Coma, also on a KTM 660. Since then, they’ve been ruling Dakar and, if this trend continues, we can expect Coma on the top of the podium next year wearing, of course, Austrian orange.
Total of 178 riders entered the Rally. Manufacturers competing this year were KTM, Yamaha, Husqvarna, Honda, Sherco, Aprilia, Husaberg, Gas-Gas, BMW, Rieju, Jincheng, Kawasaki, Beta and TM. 71 of them were KTMs, 40 were Yamahas, 4 Aprilias, 10 Husqvarnas, 23 Hondas, 4 Shercos, 3 BMWs, 2 Gas-Gas(es???), 5 Husabergs, 2 Riejus, 6 Betas, 2 Jinchengs, 5 Kawasakis and one TM. Through twelve of the stages, 77 riders left the competition. A funny fact is that, statistically, the most reliable motorcycle this year was the Chinese Jincheng which made it to the end of the Rally with all of their bikes, all two.
There is a whole year ahead of the next Dakar. Until then – be patient!
