“A challenge for those who go. A dream for those who stay behind”… The words with which Thierry Sabine sent the participants to the first Paris-Dakar rally over forty years ago became historic. In fact, no other race on earth has such an extensive history of extraordinary stories in some of the most remote places explored with a motorcycle as The Dakar Rally. 

Now, KTM is celebrating their 30 years competing in the iconic event with the opening of the “Legends of Dakar” exhibition at the manufacturer’s Motohall in Mattighofen. Starting today, May 11, the special exhibition gives visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in the action-packed world of Dakar history.

As the most dominant motorcycle manufacturer at Dakar, KTM’s rich history in the event stretches back to the Heinz Kinigadner days in the 1990‘s all the way to their most recent victory with Kevin Benavides in January 2023. From a spinning compass and limited-service help, Heinz Kinigadner nursed his adapted LC4 Enduro bike to the very next bivouac in a bid to put KTM on the map and realize his dream of a Dakar podium. Little did the two-time Motocross World Champion know at the time that his vision of competing at the event would bring KTM the success it has had today, with 19 Dakar victories since Fabrizio Meoni‘s first win in 2001.

“Back when I started in 1994, I could not believe the media coverage — it was so much more than I got for my world titles, and I knew it could be good for the brand. While the style and professionalism of racing has changed since then, the fundamentals of the race remain the same. It’s a big adventure.” – Heinz Kinigadner

The ‘Legends of the Dakar’ exhibition tells untold stories and re-visits moments in history of this incredible race, directly from those that have experienced the heat and the cold, as well as the highs and the lows, first hand.

With 10 history-making Dakar bikes and numerous artifacts from this notorious race on display, the exhibition brings visitors closer to the action from Paris-Dakar, South America and Saudi Arabia. Years where legends were made, such as Heinz Kinigadner, Fabrizio Meoni, Marc Coma, Matthias Walkner, Toby Price and Kevin Benavides, are re-visited to deliver untold stories while reflecting on competing at what is arguably the toughest race on the planet.

“There is no other race like it, and no feeling like winning it. I am so proud to have been an Austrian rider, on an Austrian bike with an Austrian sponsor and it is really cool that the KTM Motohall is telling these stories – especially those ones in history that we did not always get to know about in detail.” – Matthias Walkner, 2018 Dakar Winner

For more information go to ktm-motohall.com

Photos by KTM