For the last decade, the Dakar Rally has been a showcase for KTM. Starting with Fabrizio Meoni's victory in 2001, KTM has been the machine to beat at the Dakar rally. But Yamaha is hoping to change that this year with Helder Rodrigues and the YZ450F Rally Motorcycle.
Rodrigues was a fierce competitor in 2011 and has a realistic shot at taking victory this year. Rodrigues has been a top five finisher in four of the last five Dakar Rallies and he's looking to take another step up in 2012.
"My objective is to finish even better," Rodrigues said. "Like last year I worked all season to improve. This year's route should allow me to show that I know how to take on the pitfalls and complexities of the rally."
Yamaha will also have serious contenders in Olivier Pain and David Casteu. Pain took a stage victory last year before suffering an injury halfway through the race, and Casteu was the vice champion of the Dakar in 2007.
"It means a lot to me to ride for Yamaha,"Casteu said. "It is a constructor with a soul and a history on the Dakar. I am part of the generation that was spellbound by Peterhansel's wins on a Yamaha. Now, what I wish is to end my career as a rider with Yamaha and then create projects for the next generation. Today, our goal is to win the Dakar. Rodrigues rides for Yamaha Portugal and at Yamaha France we have two lead riders, Olivier Pain and myself. The bike has made progress compared to last year and for my part I will make a few changes to my strategy. I will set off a little slower and ride with a 'wait and see' approach."
American Jonah Street will also be gearing up on a Yamaha WR450F. Street took a stage victory in 2011 but finished 12th overall. Street will be looking for a top 10 finish this year.
KTM has won the last 10 editions of the Dakar Rally but it wasn't always at the top of the podium. In the 1990s, Yamaha took 7 Dakar Championships.
Will 2012 be the year Yamaha returns to the top?
