KTM was victorious in the 2005 Dakar rally completed yesterday with Cyril Despres aboard a team KTM Gauloises sponsored machine. Of course, the death of former Dakar winner Fabrizio Meoni earlier in this rally, also aboard a KTM must have dampened celebrations.
The Team KTM Red Bull USA members performed quite well, also, with Kellon Walch winning the final stage of the rally, and teammate Chris Blais finishing ninth, overall. Veteran rider, and team manager, Scott Harden, also finished the rally in a respectible 17th position.