Danilo Petrucci discusses his Dakar debut
After confirming back in November that he would take on the Dakar Rally after ending his MotoGP riding career, Danilo Petrucci has been testing, talking about a “dream come true” and declaring his intention to complete the world’s toughest rally in his first attempt.
Although he’s already a skilled off-road rider in enduro and motocross, Petrucci knows the Dakar will present a much bigger challenge.
“For me it is really a dream come true to race the Dakar. It’s an event I’ve always wanted to do since I was a child when I was watching video tapes of the Dakar Rally from the ’80s and ’90s. Now, thanks to KTM, this dream is coming true,” Petrucci said.
“First, I would like to thank KTM for this great opportunity; I think I will be the only rider that in just over one month has competed in MotoGP and then the Dakar Rally – so it is with great pride that I go there.”
With the backing of Tech3 KTM Factory Racing – the same team he rode for in MotoGP in 2021 – the 31-year-old Italian has spent time testing his KTM 450 Rally bike and undergoing an intensive period of road book training, under the watchful eye of KTM’s Rally Sport Manager Jordi Viladoms.
Also assisting Petrucci in the transition from tarmac to sand are Red Bull KTM Factory Racing riders Toby Price, Matthias Walkner and Kevin Benavides, all of whom are past Dakar rally winners, while Walkner is the reigning FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Champion.
“I had my first taste of riding the KTM 450 Rally at an initial test in the Dubai dunes, where I was with KTM’s Dakar champions and I was able to learn so much from them – it was great to see them riding, and they were super nice and helpful to me,” Petrucci explained.
“I hope the training will be enough; for sure it will be a tough race, but I am excited.”
The 2022 edition of the Dakar Rally will take place in Saudi Arabia for the third year in a row. Over 14 days and 8,000km, Petrucci aims to learn and develop, with an eye on a potential future in the sport.
“My main target is just to finish the race and enjoy it,” Petrucci concluded.