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

It really depends on how you look at things

http://www.ktm.com/gb/news-events/n...ry-team-enters-into-new-era.html#.UaayWcsayK0

They are not running the traditional 1 + 1 pairings, so any one of 3?

Very true. We do tend to get a little excited when we actually know the riders involved.

Certainly can't dissagree with that one

It's official

http://www.motoverte.com/site/scoop-despres-avec-yamaha--72664.html

It is now official after months of waiting, Cyril Despres signed with Yamaha Motor France to compete in the Dakar. A two-year contract unites the five times winner of the Dakar and brand to forks. Clearly stated objective: victory!

Since the last edition, we knew that Yamaha was looking for a top driver able to prevail after the departure of Helder Rodrigues at Honda. We also knew that Cyril was looking for a handlebar after separation with KTM. If Honda Husqvarna options and even clothing were maintained trails, the Yamaha option was obviously the most realistic. The experience of blue in this area is well established, the latest version of the YZ-F Rally is ultra-efficient and the French will be able to get a sixth victory in the next edition. A beautiful union in which some Peterhansel is not completely foreign ...

I knew it!

Romance is not dead in France, oh no...

Jx

Where is the pizza box?

Was there ever any other option after HRC talks were a dead end?

If nothing else, this makes the fight at the front so much more intriguing come January.

Just imagine the marketing potential if Cyril equals Stephane's wins on a blue bike. Yamaha wet dream.

C'mon, let's have your waterboy guesses. My money is on Pain.

Totally agree... ASO wanted to spread the 'winning' potential around between more manufacturers, and the 450cc rule has done just that - albeit taking three years to get the Factories on board - KTM, Honda, Yamaha and Speedbrain/Husky have always been contenders too - this will really mix things up come 2014!

I always thought that element shouldn't be underestimated... more importantly, Cyril has signed for two years - that's the record matched, and broken x

Jx

Pain turned out to be a bit more succesful then Casteu is memory serves me well, both were unlucky last year but Pain clearly still his youth on his side. A rider that has remained in the shadows but he has my vote!

Olivier Pain is a good bet for water carrier, but will he want to do it? Are they compatible like CDP and Faria?
He got a taste of winning last year so he probably thinks he can go to the end.

Does this mean David Casteu is out of Yamaha? He's a great guy.



Who likes early bets?
I say Marc Coma wins the 2014. Dakar.

If Pain or Verhoeven are considered to have a shot at the top spot who should get the offer to support CDP if not the second best 2013 finisher on a Yamaha France bike?
Yes, Rocket Rod would deserve it!

Just glad we will see CD competing again on 2 wheels, and about a water carrier... why not Botturi?

Good call Gian, Botturi has the extra benefit of age and the cooler, more experienced mind-set that comes with it. Like someone said above, maybe Pain is too hot-headed and it just might be that Yamaha are grooming him for the next big thing after Le Patron retires.

On a side note, I am really starting to think that because of the way the Dakar is contested in this new generation 450 formula, the role of the dedicated one-waterboy-per-factory rider has been slightly altered. It now seems that anyone on the same brand bike is expected to donate whatever possible to a factory star (like Cyril's engine swap last year).

I see the same evidence in the way that KTM have restructured their factory effort from two 1+1 teams into Marc & Chaleco, with Caselli as back up for either of them. I may be completely wrong though as I have no recollection of what the status of Pedrero & Faria is

Yeah, sorry I was just joking, I didn't mean to seriously imply your credibility was at stake.

Dont you hate it when you are right!!