Daily Mirror

DAKAR’S AS EASY AS 1-2-3 FOR KTM

- BY FRASER ADDECOTT Geoff Hill @ghillster Fraser Addecott @MirrorBike­r

Aussie ace Toby Price has secured an incredible 18th consecutiv­e victory for manufactur­er KTM in the legendary Dakar Rally.

Riding a KTM 450 Rally, the reigning Cross-Country Rallies World Champ completed 10 stages and 5,000 miles in Peru in the fastest time, despite suffering a broken wrist just a month before.

He was closely followed by Austrian racer and last year’s winner Matthias Walkner – who was carrying an ankle injury – and making it a KTM podium clean sweep, Brit rider Sam Sunderland, who won the race in 2017, took third.

Price told On Your Bike soon after his victory: “It feels amazing knowing I have won the Dakar. I don’t think it has really sunk in yet. I thought at the beginning, I would be lucky even to make it to the rest day. My Red Bull KTM bike has been amazing. I’d like to say a big thank you to my mechanic – the whole crew do an amazing job.”

Sunderland added: “It always feels good to cross the finish line at the Dakar.

“It’s been a seriously tough race for all involved – for all the teams, the riders and the organisati­on. I’m over the moon to take third position. Even a finish at the Dakar is an achievemen­t.”

If the team’s success inspires you to want to broaden your motorcycli­ng horizons, the KTM Adventure Rally could be just the thing. This year the event takes place in Bosnia and Herzegovin­a, from June 17 to 20.

It’s an opportunit­y to ride a variety of winding tarmac roads, dirt tracks and challengin­g trails amid beautiful mountains, canyons, high plains and mountain lakes. The guided rally is tailored to suit all rider abilities and is open to owners of KTM Adventure models.

Registrati­on opens at the end of this month at ktm-adventure-rally.com.

■ Think of HarleyDavi­dson and you conjure up big, brash, loud machines with huge V-twin motors approachin­g 2000cc. Well, think again. The iconic US firm has released an electric bike.

The LiveWire goes from nought to 60mph in an incredible 3.5 seconds of instant power.

Range is estimated at 110 miles, it has a cast aluminium frame, adjustable Showa suspension, Brembo brakes and a full-colour touchscree­n display.

Price is expected to be

£28,995, with the pre-order book being opened soon.

 ??  ?? LIVEWIRE New Harley-Davidson
LIVEWIRE New Harley-Davidson
 ??  ?? WINNER Toby Price celebrates Dakar victory
WINNER Toby Price celebrates Dakar victory
 ??  ?? THRILLS Join the KTM Adventure Rally
THRILLS Join the KTM Adventure Rally

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