KTM, the dominant force in the motorcycle division at the annual Dakar Rally from 2001 to 2019, was back to its best this year. Defeated by Honda and GasGas in the past three years, KTM triumphed in 2023, achieving a 1-2 result.
With Yamaha out of the Dakar, the Red Bull Factory KTM Racing team had one less rival to deal with this year, but was still up against factory squads from Husqvarna, GasGas, Honda, Sherco and Hero.
The Red Bull Factory KTM Racing ‘s rider lineup consisted of Toby Price, Matthias Walkner (3rd place last year) and Kevin Benavides, all of whom were past winners, with Monster Energy Honda Team’s four rider squad also boasting a past winner in Ricky Brabec, alongside Adrien van Beveren, Jose Ignacio Cornejo and last year’s runner-up, Pablo Quintanilla.
Husqvarna Factory Racing’s two-rider lineup comprised Skyler Howes and Luciano Benavides, while Red Bull GasGas Factory
