THE ULTIMATE OFF ROAD CHALLENGE
REGARDED as the toughest, most unpredictable off-road race in the world, the Dakar Rally has an almost mythical status among motorsport fans and competitors alike.
The event was launched in 1978, with 182 vehicles starting in Paris and just 74 surviving the 6,200 miles to the finish in the Senegalese capital of Dakar.
Since then, there have been various start and finish points, differing routes and sometimes nearly 700 entrants taking part.
In 2009, following security fears in some African countries, the entire event was moved to South America, where it has remained ever since.
This year, the race started in Asuncion, Paraguay, travelled through Bolivia and then Argentina to the finish in Buenos Aires. The 5,456 miles were covered in 12 stages and categories include cars, trucks, quads, UTVs and, of course, bikes.
One hundred and fortythree intrepid motorcyclists lined up at the start ready to do battle across sand dunes, mud, camel-grass and rocks, with the gruelling conditions dictating only 97 would make it to the finish.
Manufacturers represented included Honda, Yamaha, Husqvarna, Kawasaki and KTM, which has dominated this event in recent years.
That continued this time, with KTM taking all three podium spots and the trophy going to the first ever British winner Sam Sunderland.
Fellow Red Bull teammate Matthias Walkner, of Austria, took second and Spaniard Gerard Farres Guell was third.
It was an incredible turn of events for the Red Bull KTM team, after last year’s winner, Australian Toby Price crashed out on stage four in spectacular style, hitting a rock and breaking his leg in four places.
Last week, Sunderland, 27, was riding his KTM 450 RR around the somewhat less challenging streets of London ahead of a celebratory event at KTM’s Silverstone HQ.
The Dubai-based racer, originally from Dorset, told Mirror Motorcycling: “When I crossed the finish line, my emotions really took over.
“I’d had a lot of weight on my shoulders for the final six days and when I finished, it felt incredible.
“I have to say thanks to my team – the bike has been great from start to finish.”
Sunderland added: When Toby went out of the race it was a blow, as he’s a good friend.
“But, because of the strong bonds we have in our team, it helped us to pull together and strive to do something special.”
And team-mate Walkner said: “This was a really rough Dakar, so to arrive in Buenos Aires on the podium is an amazing feeling.”