Dakar 2016 and KTM MotoGP: PH2

Another Dakar win for KTM as the MotoGP project takes shape

Australian rider Toby Price made Dakar history at the weekend by not only winning at just his second attempt, but also becoming the first Aussie to take the title. Price, who delivered KTM its 15th successive victory in a row on his Red Bull KTM 450, defeated factory efforts from both Honda and Yamaha and rode with maturity, adopting a safe strategy that saw him to the finish nearly 40 minutes ahead of second place. That said, he still took five out of twelve stage wins and was a worthy victor.

"To be the first Australian to win the Dakar in all divisions is crazy," he said afterwards, "I pushed the days I needed to push and I looked after the bike the most in the marathon stages."

Price's main rivals, the HRC Honda pairing of Joan Barreda and Paulo Goncalves, were ruled out of contention when they suffered mechanical issues while the Yamaha factory rider, Helder Rodrigues, finished in fifth. Price was joined on the podium by fellow KTM rider Stefan Svitko and Husqvarna's (which is a re-badged KTM anyway) new star Pablo Quintanilla.

While on the tarmac...
KTM has also announced a date for the unveiling of its MotoGP project. Somewhat unsurprisingly, the Austrian manufacturer has chosen the first public outing for the RC16 to be at the Austrian MotoGP round, which returns to the Red Bull Ring for 2016 for the first time in 19 years on August 12-14. Although the bike won't actually be competing, it will be performing demonstration laps with test riders Alex Hoffman and Mika Kallio at the controls.

To celebrate its outing, KTM have put together a 'Fan Package', which costs £147.68 a head and gives buyers access to KTM's 8,000 seat capacity KTM Stand in the infield on Friday, Saturday and Sunday as well as a T-shirt, hat, lanyard, dedicated parking and a complimentary meal and drink. As general grandstand seats have already sold out, this is your only way of getting a prime viewing spot if you fancy taking the trip. For information, see your local KTM dealer or go to KTM's website.