Contrary to a release issued yesterday urging all KTM-mounted riders to withdraw from the rally, it seems today that all three main KTM teams will continue the race towards Dakar.
Riders for Team KTM Gauloises, Team KTM Repsol-Red Bull, and Team KTM Red Bull USA have all decided that the best way to honor the memory of their fallen colleague is to continue the competition, according to the following press release from KTM:
It is a quiet day for the KTM- factory pilots. Only last night, they pushed
their bikes, which were all ready, over to the airplanes. Leaving, mentally
as well as physically, tough days they had in Mauritania behind them, the
drivers left Kiffa at noon.In the bivouac of Bamako, they are now slowly starting to look into the next
stage, the race to Dakar. The decision to go on with the rally was not easy
for the pilots. Nevertheless, of their own accord, they want to go on – no one has forced
them to go.Jean Brucy, Team KTM Gauloises, says with tears in his eyes: “By all means,
we want a “blue one” to be on the podium in Dakar. In respect of Richard did
we go on this rally and we will finish in respect of Fabrizio as well. That
is our way of remembrance.” Team mate Alfie Cox adds: “We have been working
for this Dakar for one year. I have invested a lot of energy to be within
the top drivers. It is our decision to finish the rally. And I am sure that
Fabrizio would have accepted this due to him being a great sportsman.”The drivers of the Team KTM Repsol-Red Bull are thinking likewise. Gio Sala:
“I believe that is what he would have wanted us to do – to drive to Dakar.
We cannot change it by stopping. Nothing. The only thing that is not working
a 100 % properly anymore is the head. The head is not clear anymore. But
every rally driver has to live with the risk of something being able to
happen. We suppress it though. Until it happens to someone, who one knows
well.”Scot Harden from Team KTM Red Bull USA talks about the reasons why his team
will continue the rally, “Chris, Kellon and I came here to reach Dakar. It
is our goal. The boys still need to learn a lot. Among the things they need
to learn is how to manage difficult situations. For us Fabrizio symbolized the ideal racing driver. Personally I will always
remember his birthday on New Year’s Eve. The room was full of balloons and
he burst all of them. He was just like a little boy. One wasn’t enough for
him. He had to burst them all. Whatever he did, he did it properly.”This day was a tough one for the mechanics. Due to today’s marathon stage
the bikes couldn’t be touched tonight in the bivouac at Bamako. Therefore
the men had to make necessary repairs and preparations already last night.
This morning they started on their long tour through the Sahara. Surely,
this trip wasn’t an easy one for any of them. Their thoughts were with
Fabrizio, with his family and centering on the question: Why? But everyone
had to stay focused and concentrated. Wasn’t it Heinz Kinigadner’s who
explained yesterday? “The Dakar is no walk in the park.”Tomorrow is the second part of the marathon stage. It leads for 668 km from
Bamako to Kayes. The special runs for 370 kilometers. The riders will need
to proof flexibility on the stage. At first speed is important, then the
small track crosses through bush land and towards the end of the special a
rugged and rocky scenery demands cross-country skills from the drivers.
