KTM’s mission for the 2024 Dakar Rally saw an unfortunate situation when ex-Dakar champion Matthias Walkner sustained an injury and had to sit this one out. However, the team made of Australian Toby Price and current champion Kevin Benavides is something to look out for.
Between the two riders, there are four Dakar victories, 12 top-10 finishes, and 25 stage wins. KTM finished in the top 2 spots in the 2023 Dakar Rally, with Toby Price missing the crown by 43 seconds, losing the top spot to teammate Benavides.
Toby Price is someone to watch out for and in his 10th Dakar outing, the Australian is looking to become the champion for the third time. Price started his Dakar legacy in 2015 and finished third overall in his first outing, even managing a stage victory.
In his second rally, Price won his first Dakar championship. His biggest achievement is the 2019 Dakar Rally when he was supposed to ride just two or three stages owing to a broken wrist, but managed to win it with his arm still injured.
Benavides is another fan favourite, as he has won the Dakar Rally twice, in 2021 and 2023, with two teams. The 2021 Dakar Rally was won on a factory Honda motorcycle while the 2023 victory was astride a KTM factory motorcycle. This year, both riders are aiming to become champions.