Last week in Sonora (Mexico) we have had the chance to see the KTM 790 Adventure equipped with our Rally Kit race against some of the top Pro Dakar riders including Dakar 2020 Winner Ricky Brabec. Obviously all the riders taking part in this rally were on 450cc and 500cc Enduro bikes but our USA Distributor ROTTWEILER PERFORMANCE showed up with the KTM 790 Adventure transformed into a Rally Racing bike using all products that are normally available on the market and closing the Sonora Rally in 4th place overall just few seconds from the podium and Winning the Adventure Bike class.
The ROTTWEILER Team decided to hand their bike to Wes Van Nieuwenhuise from Cyclops Adventure Sports. Wes is a tall and big guy who really beats up bikes as he has incredible speed. This was his first real Rally debut so with not too much navigation experience he had to confront experienced Dakar rally riders with a bike that on paper is much more difficult and demanding to ride in the dunes and sand.
It didn’t take long for Wes and the ROTTWEILER Team to quickly adapt and start climbing the standings with some amazing stages run through the Mexican desert. Wes definitely put on a show for the photographers as he raced the KTM 790 Adventure R as if it was a small enduro bike and jumping on dunes. Despite the clear disadvantage of racing a big Adventure Bike, Wes managed to achieve a historic result by finishing 4th Overall just 9 second from the Podium.
Photos courtesy of WestX1000