Dakar’s fastest woman Laia Sanz joins factory KTM

Dakar’s fastest woman, Laia Sanz, who finished ninth in the gruelling race last year, is set to make the switch form Honda to KTM for her 2015/16 enduro campaign, as part of the KTM Rally Factory Racing Team.

Competing in the Women’s Enduro World Championship, in which she is a three-time champion, she will also line up in select events of the Cross Country Rally championship.

The Spaniard joins the Austrian manufacturer with one of the most impressive CVs in motorsports; with her three endure titles and Dakar top ten finish joined by thirteen trials world titles.

“It will be amazing to be with such good riders like Marc Coma and Ivan Cervantes. I can learn a lot from them and it is very important for me. I know I am still able to improve and being with KTM is the best way to do this. I grew up with a passion for trials, which is more technical but this has given me the skills I need for good Enduro riding.

“Now I also have a real passion for riding the Dakar. I watched it on TV when I was very young and I never imagined I would be able to compete. It is a great adventure. You have to give your best and you have to know your limits.”

Pit Beirer, Head of KTM Motorsports, added: “It is a pleasure to welcome Laia Sanz into the KTM Rally Factory Racing Team and to the EWC competition as our first female Enduro factory rider. Laia brings with her a great record of success and outstanding motorcycle skills. Her three World Enduro titles in the women’s competition and her overall ninth place finish in the 2015 Dakar all speak for themselves. With the KTM factory behind her we can look forward to seeing Laia go from strength to strength.”

Fabio Farioli, Enduro Team Manager, concluded: “For me this is very good news and it will be a new challenge for us to also go for the Women’s World championship title. This will be the first time we have had a competitor in the women’s competition and for sure Laia is the best rider to make this happen for us.  It will be good to work with her to achieve this new goal.”