The F5 Bivouac (rallye raid news) and W2RC - World cross country rally championship

Take my commentary with a grain of salt. I hear some stuff that remains confidential but I am by no means an insider.

I'm comfortable with my "best" sentiment, but I think you hit the nail on the head. It's team, bike, and rider as a package that win races which is why I don't see Cyril stepping back to a Yamaha effort short of them going to a full factory, run from the top initiative.

Of the current crop of riders, circumstances aside, there is no denying Despres' record but more importantly, his consistency. Let's face it, the good results of Pain and Casteu were more of a surprise rather than the result of superior development and support. The Yamaha can be fast on a stage to stage basis, but for one reason or another, something happens which drops Casteu way down or bumps Pain just out of the running. I feel the same about Helder. He's always right there, but for whatever reason, there seems to be something missing from his overall package that leaves him just shy of contention. I don't know if it's luck, lack of training, whatever, but in each rally, there is either a crucial mechanical error or navigational error that Despres doesn't seem to run into.

Even Coma is not immune. If a top team wants results, consistency, and a smart tactician, they can't do much better than Despres. I think a 5 rider team is certainly doable for HRC. Three top riders in Sam, Helder, and Cyril with 2 water carriers that hang back in preparation to help any of the top three. Different than the dedicated rider/water carrier pairing strategy at KTM, but in those three, you get speed and consistency to rival any riders among any other team.

Lastly, I don't think we can overlook Despres' following in South America. Sure he's European, but he's one of the few to remain dedicated to the South American races, Dos Sertoes, the Dakar Series, etc. Didn't he even learn Spanish to be better able to communicate in SA. He's a smart racer and is keen to accommodate those who butter his bread. If I were a team manager, (and I like to think I am pretty fair and impartial) I know that Cyril would be right near the top of my list if I were shopping for a top line rider.

I agree. Among the hardcore enthusiasts, he doesn't have the greatest reputation, but I am not convinced it is completely earned. By most accounts, he's a really nice guy to deal with but like any top line racer, I suspect, he's crazy competitive. Not many multi-time champions in any discipline have been touted as the best to deal with. You are right though, I think any team would be crazy not to want Despres.

It would be a shame if Cyril were left without a decent ride having left KTM, presumably, for HRC. He's polarizing among some fans, but he brings a level of professionalism and talent to the race that I think rally would suffer, if only a little bit from his absence. But then again, I am more fan than hater.

Put yourself in his shoes...You have a yr old kid, fanily life is becoming more important and your job is high stakes and high risk. What are your chances of winning again, this time on another bike? Would you risk it? What happens if you don't win the next Dakar (for whatever reason...) - will you be written off?

Or do you bow out while the going is good and maybe move into a buggy with Al Attiyah or something else? You still have your name, you are no longer expected to be the lead dog...the pressure is off and you can learn a new vehicle.

I'm not saying he will NOT go over to Honda, but its almost the middle of the year and there is no sign of Despres.....

I think if he is not with Honda, he may be into something else altogether.

It's possible but it takes a very big competitor to resist the lure of remaining on top. Not many have the right mindset to hang it up at the very pinnacle of a career. A change in family life could be that driver.

I would be disappointed to see Despres move to buggies. To see him move from the quintessential factory team to a half baked privateer buggy would just be wrong in my opinion. The way I see it, there is almost no competition in the car segment. A few identity challenged mini's racing each other and Robby chasing from a completely separate class. Quite frankly, at this past Dakar, I paid almost no attention to the cars at all. Without another big team jumping in, I don't see much attraction to make the move unless Peterhansel moves on to trucks and leaves an open spot at the top for Despres.

No matter what happens, I don't think we'll ever see Despres back on a KTM. I think that bridge is nothing but smoldering embers at this point.