Big Bikes Can Fly!

KTM rally racer Marc Coma took to the air after winning his fifth Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. In the deserts of the UAE, Coma tried his hand at launching the 140kg 2011 KTM 450 Rally bike over the sand dunes with help from X-Games gold medal winner Ronnie Renner.

The two riders had some fun swapping between Coma’s rally bike and Renner’s freestyle motocrosser — a weird experience for both, with Coma making a 15 meter long, 6 meter high, jump on the usually terrestrially grounded rally bike. Photos after the jump.

“Normally, for us the important thing is keeping the bike in contact with the ground. The speed is what matters,” said Coma. “That’s why it’s not usual for Rally riders to be jumping these heights and distances. Compared to a Freestyle bike, my bike weighs about a dozen kilos more than this. The tank alone can hold 40 liters.”

“That was really an eye-opener!” exclaimed Renner. “I was able to take a spin on Marc’s bike and I’ve got to admit I must have looked pretty awful. The speed is incredible and the handling compared to a Freestyle bike is extremely hard. Taking this jump on a KTM Rally bike is phenomenal.”

2013 Dakar Rally

We might all be super pumped for the Supercross race at Anaheim, but we're also excited for another event that kicks off in January - the 2013 Dakar Rally.

Once again racing over a punishing, 8000 kilometre off-road route through Peru, Argentina and Chile, competitors on Bikes, Quads, Cars and Trucks will have until the 20th January to traverse the three continents from Lima, capital city of Peru to Santiago, capital of Chile.

Four times winner Cryil Despres will once again be competing on his KTM 450 Rally Bike. If he crosses the line in first again, this will be the 12th consecutive win for a KTM bike. However, Honda will be returning to Dakar after a 23 year break, so it will be interesting to see how well its new bike debuts.

One four wheels, the Dakar Mini Countryman (driven by Stephane Peterhansel and Jean Paul Cottret) dominated the stages but will face new competition from the likes of the RaBe Range Rover Desert Warrior Evoque and rally legend Carlos Sainz competing in a custom made Qatar Red Bull Rally Buggy
The Argentineans and Yamaha completely dominated the Quad class, with Alejandro Patronelli winning almost every stage that brother Marcos didn't win. However, for 2013, only Marcos will be competing in 2013 so expect another whitewash from him this year!

For the Trucks, last year's winner Gerard de Rooy will be competing again in a 900 horespower Iveco Trakker, but will be facing competition from drivers in Renault, Mercedes, MAN, Tatra, MAZ, DAF and more.

We'll keep you posted once we find hear of some results!