Finishing in 4th place, it turns out that Yamaha’s finish of the 2022 Dakar Rally is disappointing in many ways, as the Japanese marque has made it clear that this year’s edition of the iconic off-road race will be is the last release. two-wheeled effort.
Announcing that it will be suspending the Dakar Rally and other ambush motorcycle racing programs during the FIM World Championships of Cross Country Races, Yamaha is ending 40 years of motorcycle racing at the World Championships. Dakar Rally.
While Yamaha will continue at Dakar with its auxiliary four-wheel services, Yamaha Racing says that it will “move to meet the growing requirements of customers in the off-road sector, considering the introduction of new car in the future Ténéré World Raid. ”
Whether that means promoting a production class based on Dakar, or other events that might cater to the popular ADV production bike class, remains to be seen.
In its press release, Yamaha mentioned its long-term success in the Dakar Rally, but the brand’s success has been hard to come by in recent years, and that probably led Yamaha to decide. Find easier places to display your bike.
Eric de Seynes, President and CEO of Yamaha Motor Europe said: “Yamaha has a long and rich history with the Dakar Rally, starting in 1979 with the first version and moving straight into the era. modern.
“This is also an event that I personally have a real passion for, having participated in the event twice and over the years working closely with Jean-Claude Olivier, who not only races and wins in races at Dakar but also oversaw Yamaha’s most successful pioneering period in the Rally.”
“However, while the Dakar Rally has largely succeeded in remaining close to its roots, even as it has moved away from its spiritual homeland of Africa, the world in which it exists has changed dramatically. tell. Our off-road customers now have different expectations and they look for different products, and we have to meet these if we want to stay connected. “
“It is for this reason that we have decided to conclude our long history on two wheels at the Dakar Rally and FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship, and to reinforce our commitment to racing Dakar on four wheels with the Yamaha YXZ1000R SSV. . ”
“Yamaha’s commitment to motorcycle Rally Raid events is far from over, but our future engagement must involve a closer connection with our customers and their aspirations, further develop the potential of the Ténéré 700 in a way that allows them to rediscover the more adventurous side of the Protests. ”
Source: Racing Yamaha
