KTM back in Dakar

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KTM Dakar champ Marc Coma Castilho D

KTM might be back in for the 2010 Dakar rally.

Dakar organizers had earlier announced that motorcycle engine capacities would be limited to 450 cc, causing KTM, which had campaigned their 654 cc motorcycles successfully, to back out of the world’s greatest off-road race.

But now they’ve said larger bikes can compete in the Elite class of the Dakar with engine restrictors in place that would lower the power output.

Racers in other classes are still able to ride larger bikes without restrictors.

Dakar winner Marc Coma and several other KTM riders are now listed as competitors in next year’s race.

The following year, Elite class riders will be limited to 450 cc or smaller motorcycles, and others will be required to install restrictors on motorcycles larger than 450 cc, and in 2012, no motorcycles over 450 cc will be allowed.

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