KTM RIDERS PULL OFF 2-3 PODIUMS AT MOROCCO RALLY

The top overall five were rounded off by a good performance from Dutch rider Hank Knuiman, Netherlands on an excellent fifth place. All three rode the KTM 450 Rally bike.

Przygonski finished 6 minutes 25 behind the leader at the end of the rally and Ullevalseter rounded off his week’s ride with a stage win on the final day. Both are regular top riders in the Dakar Rally and put in consistent top results in the six-stage event in the sands of Morocco to snap up the minor places behind eventual winner Helder Rodrigues of Portugal.

But what proved a rewarding week for the Polish and Norwegian rider was not so lucky for KTM factory rider and three-time Dakar winner Marc Coma of Spain. Coma was put out of contention for a top finish in the first stage where an unusual technical problem cost him a four hour penalty and transformed his efforts into a training and fine tuning practice session for the Dakar 2012, starting in Argentina. Despite being in an unwinnable situation Coma still fought his way back from the back of the field to finish in tenth place.  He was also coming off a strong victory in the Pharaons Rally in Egypt less than a fortnight ago.

Marc Coma: "Even if everything fell through on the first day, the Rally of Morocco, has allowed me to complete my preparation for the Dakar. I had two very high level races in 15 days and now I will start the big event in early January with total confidence.”

Jakub Przygonski: “I am very pleased with my progress made throughout this season. It will take me a few more rallies to get the necessary experience and I hope one day to take the victory.”

Pal Anders Ullevalseter: "A stage win on the last day and the third place overall is much more than I expected. For me it's a sign that I found the pace for the Dakar."

Overall Results
1, Helder Rodrigues, Portugal, Yamaha
2, Jakub Przgonski, Poland, KTM
3, Pal Anders Ullevalseter, Norway, KTM
4, Frans Verhoeven, Netherlands, Sherco
5, Hank Knuiman, Netehrlands, KTM
Other KTM
10, Marc Coma, Spain, KTM