The Bivouac

[beechum1]

Originally Posted by Dread Pendragon

Also Chaleco has the added value of being a huge crowd favorite down in South America.

Definitely on Radio Maray

[Gian]

Originally Posted by too old

Still a lot of speculation, but assuming that Phillipe Zanol won't be up for Dakar 2014, then it would be Honda SA looking for another SA rider, so a perfect fit?

Who knows about the rest of the rumour and speculation?

HRC also approached Botturi while he was still with B&F, but the good guy preferred to honour his contract. Now I don't think he has a bike for this new year yet... maybe there could be a second chance, even if he's not an alien

[too old]

Originally Posted by Gian

HRC also approached Botturi while he was still with B&F, but the good guy preferred to honour his contract. Now I don't think he has a bike for this new year yet... maybe there could be a second chance, even if he's not an alien

Is there anyone they have not rumoured to have approached - what are they supposed to be doing, having the top 10 riders for the Dakar so a win is all but guaranteed

[beechum1]

Originally Posted by doyle

KTM and HRC making a play for Chaleco? To me, this highlights how thin the field is for competitive rally riders.

Translation via Google:

Quote:

http://www.biobiochile.cl/2013/03/06...kar-2014.shtml

Originally Posted by biobiochile.cl

Gracias a su profesionalismo, trabajo y méritos deportivos, que por cierto han marcado su trayectoria en el motociclismo por más de dos décadas, Francisco López ha logrado un completo para ser piloto oficial de rally de KTM Factory Racing por la temporada 2013 y el próximo Dakar 2014.
El excelente rendimiento de “Chaleco” en pasado Dakar, donde ganó cinco etapas y obtuvo el tercer lugar, sumado al profundo conocimiento que tienen de él en la marca austríaca, hicieron posible que pase a formar parte del team más poderoso del mundo en el rally cross country.
Con la escuadra naranja, el chileno competirá como rider oficial en las fechas de la FIM Cross Country Rallies World Championship de Argentina (Desafío Ruta 40, del 15 al 22 de junio) y Egipto (28 de septiembre al 5 de octubre), más pruebas de motor y suspensiones en África, y quizás se sume al calendario el Rally de Marruecos, que se disputará en noviembre próximo.
“Estoy muy feliz por este tremendo paso en mi carrera deportiva. He superado muchos obstáculos, accidentes y otras cosas, pero siempre he convivido de forma equilibrada con el éxito y la derrota. Fui parte de equipos oficiales y también me he jugado todo corriendo como privado, como sucedió en el último Dakar. Pero lo importante es que siempre me mantuve centrado, con motivación para seguir entrenando y sintiendo una enorme pasión por la moto”, comentó López.
Y agrega: “KTM Factory domina el mundo del rally-raid hace más de diez años, tiene la mejor moto, la más competitiva y fiable y por eso ganan cada año. Sus mecánicos, ingenieros y asistentes son grandes profesionales, conozco a la mayoría y cada vez que necesite una ayuda de ellos siendo piloto privado, me la dieron sin problema. Creo que este acuerdo es algo merecido por ambas partes y que se dio de manera natural”.
En efecto, la relación con la fábrica europea nació hace años, cuando entre mediados de 2007 y 2008 el nacional compitió bajo el soporte del equipo KTM, pero en calidad de rider support.
“Hice buenas carreras con ellos, logré podios y trabajé de manera profesional, por eso siempre me han respetado y ayudado. Luego tuve tres años muy buenos en Aprilia y también este año con el apoyo de Tamarugal XC, pero claramente la intención era volver a KTM como piloto oficial”, aclaró “Chaleco”.
Entre las garantías que le entregará la escudería que dirige el team manager austríaco Alex Doringer, y donde compartirá filas, entre otros, con el francés Cyril Despres (cinco veces campeón del Dakar) y el español Marc Coma (tricampeón), está e hecho de contar con material de punta para entrenar en Chile durante todo el año.
“Me llegará una moto oficial a casa, también el material de recambio y los repuestos; con esto podré cambiar un poco mi método de preparación y dedicarle más tiempo a las sesiones en el norte, Perú y Argentina. Antes tenía que pasar mucho tiempo en Europa, pero el Dakar se corre acá en Sudamérica y es en estos terrenos donde debo trabajar más duro”.
Finalmente, López agradeció al apoyo de sus auspiciadores, quienes han hecho posible subir un nuevo escalón en su trayectoria. “Siempre han creído y confiado en mí, más allá de los resultados o los traspiés. Cuando los sponsors notan tu manera de trabajar y ven el compromiso que tienes con tu carrera, lo único que queda es darles las gracias y seguir adelante”, cerró el piloto de 37 años.

Originally Posted by googletranslate

Thanks to their professionalism, work and sporting merit, which certainly have marked his career in motorcycling for over two decades, Francisco Lopez has managed to be a complete rider rally KTM Factory Racing for the 2013 season and the upcoming Dakar 2014.

The excellent performance of "vest" in past Dakar, where he won five stages and won third place, coupled with the deep understanding they have of him in the Austrian brand, they may become part of the world's most powerful team in the rally cross country.

With the orange squad, Chilean rider compete as official dates of the FIM Cross Country Rallies World Championship in Argentina (Challenge Route 40, from 15 to 22 June) and Egypt (28 September to 5 October), more tests Engine and suspension in Africa, and perhaps add to calendar Morocco Rally, which takes place in November.

"I am very happy for this huge step in my career. I have overcome many obstacles, accidents and other things, but I've always lived in a balanced way with success and defeat. I was part of official teams and I've played all run and private, as in the last Dakar. But the important thing is that always kept me focused, motivated to keep training and feeling a huge passion for motorcycles, "said Lopez.

He adds: "Factory KTM dominates the world of rally-raid over ten years, has the best bike, the most competitive and reliable and therefore earn each year. His mechanics, engineers and assistants are great professionals and know most every time you need a help from them being a private pilot, gave me no problem. I believe this agreement is something deserved by both parties and that he naturally ".

Indeed, the relationship with the European factory was born years ago, when between mid 2007 and 2008, the national carrier competed under the KTM team, but as a support rider.

"I made good runs with them, I got podiums and worked professionally, so I always have respected and helped. Then I had three very good years in Aprilia and again this year with the support of Tamarugal XC, but clearly the intention was to return to KTM official driver, "he said" Vest ".

Among the guarantees that will give the team that runs the Austrian team manager Alex Doringer, where rows share, among others, with Frenchman Cyril Despres (five-time Dakar winner) and Spanish rider Marc Coma (three-time), and the fact is tip material have to train in Chile throughout the year.

"I come home a factory bike, also the material parts and spares, with this I can change my method a bit and spend more time preparing the meetings in the north, Peru and Argentina. Before I had to spend some time in Europe, but here we run the Dakar in South America and is in these areas where I work harder. "

Finally, Lopez thanked the support of its sponsors, who have made it possible to upload a new step in his career. "They have always believed and trusted me, beyond the results or missteps. When the sponsors notice the way you work and the commitment you have seen with your career, the only thing left is to thank them and move on, "closed the 37 years.

[Brimstone]

So KTM now has four riders capable of an outright win next year? I counted Faria incase they ever entertained the idea of letting him off his leash... Surely Despres or Coma will be making a move??

[doyle]

Originally Posted by Brimstone

So KTM now has four riders capable of an outright win next year? I counted Faria incase they ever entertained the idea of letting him off his leash... Surely Despres or Coma will be making a move??

Technically, Despres is without a team and as I hear he is all but married to Faria, I assume Faria will follow his moneymaker. I think next year at KTM will be Coma/Pedrero and Chaleco/Caselli with Despres and Faria jumping to HRC.

[wilkinsonk]

Originally Posted by doyle

Technically, Despres is without a team and as I hear he is all but married to Faria, I assume Faria will follow his moneymaker. I think next year at KTM will be Coma/Pedrero and Chaleco/Caselli with Despres and Faria jumping to HRC.

Is the Chaleco/Caselli duo a hunch or is there something solid backing up you assertion? Very interesting. I certainly think Caselli could maintain the speeds and shadow Lopez, so that would be a good pairing. The question becomes does HRC have room for two?

[doyle]

Originally Posted by wilkinsonk

Is the Chaleco/Caselli duo a hunch or is there something solid backing up you assertion? Very interesting. I certainly think Caselli could maintain the speeds and shadow Lopez, so that would be a good pairing. The question becomes does HRC have room for two?

Just a hunch. After his performance and desperately needing younger talent, KTM would be fools to let Caselli slip away from the rally team. Despres apparently has some lofty demands, but it all depends on whether HRC wants to win. Rodrigues won't deliver that win to them.

[doyle]

A couple of interesting tidbits for today:

First up is Peru in the weekly game of musical countries about whom there is question as to participation in 2014. Announcement is due from the ASO on March 20th, but so far, Chile and Peru have both been rumored to be excluded through their sporting ministers deny the rumors. My suspicion is that the rally will begin in Rosario, Argentina, head to Bolivia for the rest day and a couple of stages, then on to Chile before ultimately concluding in Lima, but that is my hunch.

Marc Coma is back, the Spaniard announcing that he will be in Abu Dhabi for the Desert Challenge and that he will spend the year developing a completely new bike for KTM to be debuted officially at Dakar 2014. Most likely fuel injected.

KTM Motorsport boss Pit Beirer has lobbed a shot over the bow of Cyril Despres. In a German interview with Speedweek,de, Beirer stated, (my interpretation from the Google translation) "Cyril plays poker quite well, but he must be careful that he does not overplay his hand. That's all I want to say on this subject."

Rumor is that Despres' demands are not insignificant, we'll see how badly Honda wants to win.

We may also have seen the last of Jacek Czachor on a bike at Dakar. Looks like his long time association with the Orlen team may see him move into cars with Marek Dabrowski as his codriver.

[too old]

Originally Posted by doyle

A couple of interesting tidbits for today:

Marc Coma is back, the Spaniard announcing that he will be in Abu Dhabi for the Desert Challenge and that he will spend the year developing a completely new bike for KTM to be debuted officially at Dakar 2014. Most likely fuel injected.

KTM Motorsport boss Pit Beirer has lobbed a shot over the bow of Cyril Despres. In a German interview with Speedweek,de, Beirer stated, (my interpretation from the Google translation) "Cyril plays poker quite well, but he must be careful that he does not overplay his hand. That's all I want to say on this subject."

Rumor is that Despres' demands are not insignificant, we'll see how badly Honda wants to win.

.

Coma likes Abu Dhabi and is it the last 3 or 4 he has won?
Couple that with every night in 5 star luxury in the Qasr Al Sarab and who wouldn't - what a bivouac, look it up - http://qasralsarab.anantara.com/


Now CDP - don't think there will be any surprises on the ego and demands, but when did Beirer actually make that statement - before or after the Chaleco news?

Maybe CDP will be tasting a bit of good old fashioned humble pie soon, or maybe he won't find himself at the dinner table, or maybe even end up doing a 2013 Chaleco and being a high profile Privateer?

One thing is for sure though and that is he won't give up on the Peterhansel target of 6 wins - never

[SafariBerg]

Originally Posted by doyle

Marc Coma is back, ..... he will spend the year developing a completely new bike for KTM to be debuted officially at Dakar 2014. Most likely fuel injected.

.

at Dakar the KTM boys talked quite a bit about having a new bike under development this year, one based on the current 450SXF............expect a lighter faster engine in a lighter faster bike, and one much less of a parts job from the 690RR parts book than the current 450RR

[doyle]

Big news today as BMW Motorad and Speedbrain agree to terminate their contract. As I understand it, and I am trying to confirm, the rider contracts are with BMW and not Speedbrain. Wonder if this termination also has an effect on the rider contracts. I'll post up when I get some answers.

[Deadly99]

[too old]

Originally Posted by Deadly99

+1 - less than 4 weeks to the Desert Challenge and little or no news on the key teams and players

[doyle]

Originally Posted by too old

+1 - less than 4 weeks to the Desert Challenge and little or no news on the key teams and players

So a little digging leads me to clarify some things. First of all, both Paulo Goncalves and Joan Barreda are contracted to Speedbrain and not BMW Motorrad as I originally stated. I was wrong there. So all that means is that for the most part, the riders break camp with Speedbrain instead of remaining tied to BMW. I have verified with Quinn Cody that his contract runs through 2014, but I have not heard from him whether his contract is with BMW or Speedbrain, but I guess I suspect now it is with Speedbrain a la Goncalves and Barreda.

It looks like Speedbrain will go it alone for a while, breaking free from both BMW and Husqvarna. Most of the bike engineering rights are held by them anyway and the bike looks like it will be homologated as a Speedbrain 450RR. The question remains as to the long term engine supply. I hear the Speedbrain guys are pretty happy doing everything in house rather than relying on Italy for the engine supply, but how this figures into the long term is yet to be determined.

Riders are contracted to Speedbrain through Dakar 2014, I suspect Speedbrain has enough engines on hand for this season and the next Dakar, but essentially what they become is the perfect setup for a manufacturer that wants to get involved with a turn key program. Rebrand the bikes and they are good to go, nearly.

Another tidbit I hear is that KTM has resigned Ruben Faria. This may be another shot over the bow of Cyril Despres. It's a smart move for Faria being that unless Despres could assure him a rol wherever he goes, quite frankly, Faria may have a hard time courting a comparable ride to KTM with someone else. At least on his own. This leaves Despres with the prospect of starting completely fresh with a new team or softening his approach to resigning with KTM. With Chaleco and Coma affirmed and Caselli a strong possibility for the future (if KTM is smart), I hate to ask, but is there any room left for Despres? I'm sure KTM would find the room, but Despres may be finding his musical chairs slowly disappearing.