Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Matthias Walkner wins 2018 Dakar Rally
By Team TMX on 21st Jan 18
Matthias Walkner has won the 2018 Dakar Rally. The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider completed the 14th and final stage of the event in eighth place, enough to ensure a hard-fought overall victory while also giving KTM a 17th consecutive motorcycle class win.
This victory, the first for an Austrian rider in the motorcycle class, is the 17th in a row for KTM, who have won each and every edition of the Dakar since the rally moved to South America in 2009.
Walkner has unquestionably put in a champions performance at this years event the 40th edition of the Dakar Rally. The former FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Champion has ridden intelligently from the very first stage, finding the right balance between out-and-out speed and error-free navigation.
Stage 10 was again a game-changer in the rally with Walkner ending the day with an almost 30-minute advantage over his nearest competitors. In reaching the finish of todays final stage in eighth position, Matthias was finally able to relax and celebrate a well-deserved win and let his historic achievement sink in.
Matthias Walkner
"Its unbelievable - I cant describe how it feels," said Walkner. "This years Dakar has been so difficult, easily the toughest rally of my career. Navigation has been tricky pretty much every day.
"At the beginning of the race, all the top guys were so close with not much time between us. I just tried to keep on doing well each day without making any mistakes. Things were so tight right up to my stage victory.
"After that, I aimed to finish each day safely and get to the end of the rally without losing my advantage. Luckily the tactics worked out and Im here at the end now as the winner and it feels unreal. Thank you to my team and everyone that has supported me we did it!"
Monster Energy Hondas Kevin Benevides was HRCs strongest rider of the Dakar. The Argentinian claimed second place overall after a tough battle with KTMs, Toby Price.
Laia Sanz
Laia Sanz never ceases to impress. Despite two big crashes on the closing stages of the race, the Spaniard gritted her teeth and kept on going. Always close to the top-10, Laia eventually completed the Dakar in 12th overall. The multiple world champion, was over the moon with her performance.
"I am so happy to get to the finish, I am really pleased with my position too it has been a very tough rally," said Sanz.
"I had two big crashes, which luckily didnt cause too much damage to me or the bike. I am exhausted now but feel good because I am here, safely at the finish. I want to thank all the team for their help and now its finally time to relax."
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