It's official, Lopez is a factory rider, presumably to replace Despres, but we'll see on that front. A huge win for KTM, not so sure the benefit to KTM is as calculable.
Right now, Cyril is without a team. Hi KTM contract is officially finished and from what I understand, there are not too happy with his demands. The long rumor has been a move to HRC, although I am not sure Honda is too keen on his demands either, but hey, if they want to win, there is no better rider than Despres to reduce that variable factor. I would suspect that Zanol is all but effectively finished and with Chaleco filling a coveted KTM spot, time may not be on Despres' side. Honda did offer Lopez a ride so clearly they have an opening, but would they take Faria with Despres? Poor Ruben has no future without Cyril ensuring he remain as water carrier. There is some shuffling to take place, where will Despres shake out? Why is Coma so quiet? What about Barreda and Goncalves after 2014? Any room anywhere for Botturi? A lot of old talent, very little young talent and depending on which way the teams move riders, very few good seats out there. For as good as rally is, both the talent pool and competitive opportunities are very thin.
Getting Chaleco is a good one for them, but where does this leave Caselli? He did a bang up job for them, you'd think they'd want him. He is a ktm contracted rider in the US, isn't he? Anyone got any intel?
Any word on Husky's plan for future Rally? There could be more good talent on the market with no ride. Good on Chaleco for signing now!
Well, with the Desert Challenge less than a month away, bikes should be on the way very soon, but personally I can't see what all the fuss is over all these riders who are approaching 40 and in their twilight years - should it be all about "this year" what is going to happen in the future - pretty sure the coming weeks are going to be interesting?
The "seniors" are the top five? best racers in rally and likely will be for the next few years. Some fast young guys out there but they haven't proved themselves yet. By that I mean they haven't been able to consistently stay up front, race after race and in many rallies can't seem to stay up front stage after stage. Stoked for Lopez, he deserves a factory ride. With Coma as his team mate, the future of ktm on the podium seems not only likely but almost a guarantee. If orange doesn't want Cyril and if Honda decides not to sign him......wouldn't that be a thing. My guess is big red signs, they would be foolish not to
Can't really argue against that for now Ted, but "Terms & Conditions below" - now, will they be acceptable, or will Batman and Robin just be given wings?
Approaching 40 is not over the hill for a rallye rider. Didn't TSC put a post a while ago showing the age of past Dakar winners and they were pretty much all in there mid to late 30's?
Men in tights :huh Mid thirties indeed. For whatever reason they all seem to retire or move to cars at 40. Risk and age seem to conflict at some point for most folks, 40 seems to be that point for most top rally racers, historically speaking.
