8. Matthias Walkner
Red Bull KTM Team (#16)
Matthias Walkner is living proof that motocross skills can translate to rally racing. The MX3 World Champion decided to make rally his focus in 2014, and in his first Dakar (2015), he managed to win a stage. He went on to earn the FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship later that year, proving that he has a knack for the highly specialized discipline.
The 2016 Dakar Rally didn’t go Walkner’s way as the Austrian DNF after crashing hard on Stage 6 while running third overall. His resulting injury prevented him from defending his world championship, as well, but now that he is healthy and ready to compete, the 2017 Dakar Rally might be the scene of a heroic comeback.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY KTM MEDIA/SEBAS ROMERO.
Your Privacy Choices