Yamaha has just made ready its Dakar rally machine for the 5-time Dakar winner Cyril Despres.
Yamaha had a pretty decent run at the 2013 Dakar, with Olivier Pain and Frans Verhoeven claiming one stage each, though the final standings only saw a blue machine in the 6th position (Pain), following a fully-orange (KTM) top 5.
However, things could change for the better this year with Despres in the saddle and more experience gained in 2013. The Frenchman will team up with fellow countryman Olivier Pain and Dutch Frans Verhoeven, while a third Frenchman, Mickael Metge will step up as a support rider to Despres.
The 2014 Dakar is expected to be much tougher than the previous edition, as the rally reaches Bolivia and comprises more “marathon” and “bikes only” stages.
