The factory KTM Rally Team is at risk if becoming overrun with Australians with the new Signing Daniel Sanders joining Toby Price in the most dominant team in the Cross Country Rally world.
The 26-year-old Australian will make his first competitive outing aboard a KTM 450 RALLY machine at the upcoming Andalucia Rally in Spain.
A former KTM Factory Racing rider in EnduroGP, Sanders has shown impressive speed in enduro both in the world championship and at home in Australia.
An outright ISDE winner in 2019, Sanders also claimed the AORC (Australian Off Road Championship) E3 title in the same year. No stranger to high-speed sand racing, Daniel took the win at the demanding Hattah Desert Race in 2018 – an event previously won by compatriot and fellow KTM rally racer Toby Price.
Currently in Europe, Sanders is spending time under the watchful eye of KTM Rally Team Manager Jordi Viladoms, in Spain as he familiarises himself with the KTM 450 RALLY bike as well as develops his road book and navigational skills.
“I’m really excited to join the KTM Factory Racing team and start my rally career, Sanders said. “I have to admit it’s something I have always wanted to do but was perhaps planning to get into it a little later. As it stands, with the current worldwide pandemic, there’s not that much racing going on, so when this opportunity came up to join the rally team, I grabbed it with both hands! I’ve had a few days on the bike so far and some time getting to grips with the road book and I think it’s gone pretty well. The bike is great and handles so well, it’s really stable at speed. I know I have a lot of knowledge to gain but Jordi and the rest of the team have been great. I feel like I’ve fitted in really easily and it’s obvious that everyone works really hard for a common goal. I’m looking forward to getting some more time on the bike and then my first race here in Spain next month.” Sanders will make his first competitive appearance for KTM Factory Racing at the Andalucia Rally, which runs from October 6 to 10, with the goal of qualifying for the 2021 Dakar Rally to be held in Saudi Arabia next January.
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