Cyril Despres signs with Yamaha

As mentioned in last week’s Throwdown, Yamaha Motor France has announced the signing of five-time Dakar Rally Champion, Frenchman Cyril Despres. Despres will lead Yamaha’s quest for victory in the 2014 Dakar Rally, on board a Yamaha YZ450F-based machine with Frenchman Michael Metge as support rider.

Despres is the most successful Dakar rider of the last decade, winning in 2005, 2007, 2010, 2012 and 2013 on board a KTM. Despres left the brand at the start of the year, and speculation arose that he had a deal lined up with Honda. That obviously fell through, and he now joins the ‘men in blue’. Despres’ record in the world’s toughest endurance race, the Dakar Rally, is only beaten by fellow Frenchman, Stéphane Peterhansel who has claimed an impressive six victories, all with Yamaha.

“I am very motivated by the idea of joining Yamaha’s ‘men in blue’. I remember watching them on TV as a boy and dreaming…” said Despres. “Within the brand I have discovered a strong feeling of family, with an excellent flow of communication and a technical staff that is motivated and open to feedback. I am certain we will form a strong, united team, focused on one objective: achieving victory.”

“I am also delighted to have Michael Metge as support rider,” continued Despres. “He is an ambitious newcomer who entered his first Dakar successfully this year and is extremely motivated.”