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As the anticipation builds for the 2024 Dakar Rally, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing is fine-tuning its strategy for success in Saudi Arabia. Kevin Benavides and Toby Price are gearing up to lead the charge. On the other hand, Matthias Walkner was unfortunately sidelined due to a recent injury to his left leg. The team faces challenges and setbacks, but the determination to secure victory remains unwavering.
Reigning champion Kevin Benavides enters the 2024 Dakar Rally with the goal of securing back-to-back titles. Despite a challenging 2023 season plagued by injuries, Benavides is resilient and optimistic. A frustrating leg injury during December training adds a layer of complexity. Nevertheless, the Argentinian racer remains focused on achieving peak fitness and bringing home the trophy for the second consecutive year.
Toby Price, a seasoned competitor in the team, is not one to shy away from challenges. Missing out on the 2023 Dakar Rally win by a mere 43 seconds, Price is hungry for victory in 2024. The Australian racer enjoyed a strong 2023 season, concluding with a convincing win at the Rallye du Maroc. With 2024 marking Price’s 10th Dakar, he aims to celebrate this milestone by clinching his third career victory in Yanbu on January 19.
The unfortunate absence of Matthias Walkner, a key member of the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing squad, casts a shadow over the team’s aspirations. Walkner sustained a left leg injury while training in the United States, prompting immediate surgery to stabilize the break. The 37-year-old racer will undergo further surgery upon returning home to Austria. The entire team extends their well wishes to Walkner for a full and speedy recovery.
The 46th edition of the Dakar Rally spans from January 5 to January 19, 2024. The rally promises to be a gruelling test for all participants. Starting in AlUla and concluding in Yanbu, riders will cover close to 8,000km, with 5,000km raced against the clock. The 2024 rally introduces a 48-hour stage. Riders will pause at 4 pm on the first day before resuming at 7 am the next day. Organizers have designed an exceptionally challenging race, featuring 60% new terrain and over 5,000km of special stages.
As Red Bull KTM Factory Racing faces the complexities of injuries and the absence of Matthias Walkner, the team remains resolute in its pursuit of victory at the 2024 Dakar Rally. With the seasoned expertise of Benavides and Price, the squad is poised to overcome challenges and conquer the demanding terrains of Saudi Arabia. The 2024 Dakar Rally promises to showcase determination, skill, and teamwork as the riders strive to etch their names in the annals of rally racing history.