~ Auto Buzz ~: DAKAR RALLY: The Next Big Hero? The world’s toughest rally has had some great dominant riders over the years. Who’s next?

Paulo Goncalves of Team HRC Rally.

“The bike race will be interesting this year because the factory teams have at least one rider able to win,” said rally sports director Marc Coma at the start of the 38th edition of the Dakar Rally. Coma should know: He’s a five-time winner and one of the greatest rally racers of all time. He shared the last 10 rally wins with Cyril Despres, but with both riders moving on to other things, the bike category is wide-open to a new generation of racer to emerge. This hasn’t happened since 1999, when Stephane Peterhansel switched to the car category after the record six Dakar wins on a bike. The number 1 is up for grabs and this unexpected scenario offers veterans and newcomers the possibility to shine and to Honda and Yamaha the chance to interrupt KTM’s supremacy of 14 consecutive successes. So, who will be be the new Marc Coma? The list of the pretenders is long as the Dakar is a 14-day endurance race, and anything can happen. But Paolo Gonçalves (Honda), second in 2015 is one of the favorites: He’s experienced and consistent and can count on his powerful CRF450 Rally. Third in 2015 in his debut, Australian Toby Price (KTM) is determined, physically strong, and aboard a KTM, definitely the bike to beat.

2015 Dakar Rally podium: Toby Price (KTM), Marc Coma (KTM), and Paulo Goncalves (Honda).

The race so far has seen Paulo Goncalves and Toby Price neck-’n’-neck with the Honda rider leading and the Australian recovering. At the end of Stage 6 and with 2,748 miles and 23 hours racing under their belts, only 35 seconds separated Goncalves from Price! It was a pity for Joan Barreda (Honda), the fastest rider on the Dakar, who suffered a bike problem on stage 6 and lost 1 hour and the hopes of a recovery of lost positions. Other contenders in with a chance? Helder Rodrigues (Yamaha), Jordi Viladoms (KTM), Olivier Pain (KTM), or Ruben Faria (Husqvarna) have already climbed on the final podium, but watch out also for Matthias Walkner (KTM) and Alessandro Botturi (Yamaha), despite the Italian is racing with an injured wrist. And while there is no doubt rider talent plays a huge role, each brand’s team philosophy also has a huge influence on success in this difficult race.

Toby Price of KTM Factory Team

KTM The brand to beat. Successful since 2001, the KTM 450 Rally counts 14 victories on a row and last year conquered the rally in the hands of Coma. In Coma’s absence, the Austrian Manufacturer lined up four strong riders: Toby Price (third last year in his debut); veteran Jordi Viladoms (second in 2014); 2015 cross country world champion Matthias Walkner and five-time enduro world champion French Meo. Multiple trial world champion Laia Sanz, ninth last year, races on a satellite team, but with Factory Support. The KTM philosophy is simple: Line four super strong riders and a wildcard (Meo in this case), who doesn’t have specific team orders. It works. Honda On this fourth attempt, Team HRC Rally aims at winning and to accomplish the mission has reorganized its structure and uses two ace riders supported by two “waterboys,” Paolo Ceci and Michael Metge. The waterboys’ role is to be fast and consistent and have mechanical skills in order to support the leaders in their attempt to win. Honda is definitely planning for the future by fostering new talent, in this case Californian Ricky Brabec in his debut with the factory team. At only 24, he has already captured the three most prestigious titles in US desert racing, winning in 2014 the Hare & Hound, Best in the Desert and SCORE International, as well as the legendary races Baja 250, Baja 500 and Baja 1000. At his debut on the Dakar he showed already his potential with a very good performance and a superb 14^th place in the general standings after six of 13 stages. Yamaha The WR450F Rally has been completely re-designed. The new bike has four fuel tanks instead of one for a better weight distribution and has become more balanced and agile. The team features experienced Helder Rodrigues (a Dakar podium finisher in 2011 and 2012), and the determined Italian Botturi. Both ride the new bike, while Adrien van Beveren and Xavier de Soultrait ride the 2015 version. Husqvarna The bike is a “clone” of the KTM squad’s and Ruben Faria as the strongest rider. MX2 World Champion Pela Renet got his factory debut this year after finishing fourth in 2015 as a privateer. Chilean Pablo Quintanilla comes into the 2016 Dakar with a new bike after a fantastic international season. His profound knowledge of the South American terrains is a big plus in such an extreme race. In the Junior team also Italian Jacopo Cerruti, winner of the Dakar Challenge 2015. Unfortunately for Husqvarna, Renet crashed and was transported in helicopter on Stage 4, while Faria, who was showing a strong performance had to withdrawn in Bolivia on Stage 6 as he crashed and fractured his wrist.