Following the tragic death of Gauloises KTM racer Fabrizio Meoni this morning, KTM has issued a press release urging all KTM teams to immediately withdraw from competition in the Dakar Rally. Although it is not directly stated in the press release, we assume that this means that the Gauloises KTM team, which fielded Meoni as well as current rally leader Cyril Despres, will be withdrawing from the race.
The release also mentions that KTM will be reconsidering it’s support for rally racing. This is to be expected considering the fact that Meoni’s death follows so closely on that of another famous KTM rally racer, Richard Sainct, who was killed while competing in Egypt’s “Rallye des Pharaons” just a little over 3 months ago (see our article here).
Here is the full text of the KTM press release:
Fabrizio Meoni’s fatal accident
Fabrizio Meoni was in a serious crash during the 11th stage of the Dakar Rally. Despite immediate medical attention, it was not possible to save Fabrizio Meoni’s life and he died of his injuries at the scene of the accident.
Due to this tragic incident the KTM management explicitly urges all KTM teams and factory riders to break off the Dakar Rally. KTM is however leaving it up to the individual drivers, teams and their sponsors to decide whether or not to continue the Rally.
Since KTM lost two of its best rally pilots, Fabrizio Meoni and Richard Saincts, in fatal accidents within a period of only a few months, the manufacturer will be contemplating its future support for the rally sport.
Our thoughts go out to Fabrizio´s wife and children.
