Cyril Despres takes KTM's 11th consecutive Dakar title
Cyril Despres rode to victory for KTM in the 2012 Dakar.KTM has continued its domination of Dakar as Red Bull factory rider Cyril Despres sealed victory in the motorcycle section on Sunday (January 15th).
It was the Frenchman's fourth career victory in the world's most gruelling rally challenge, and marked a remarkable 11th consecutive victory for KTM.
KTM factory teammate Marc Coma finished second in an epic two-way battle, with the Spaniard eventually finishing 53 minutes behind his rival due to a penalty for a late engine change.
Despres revealed afterwards that of all the Dakar events he has competed in, this was the toughest.
"I've done 90 or 85 rallies throughout my life, and this one was the one where I had to fight the hardest. Today will leave its mark on me," he said.
KTM's dominance was underlined with all the top five riders, eight of the top ten and 15 of the top 20 using the manufacturer's bikes.
Posted by Marcus Blackburn
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