KTM Signs Jordi Viladoms to Race Dakar Rally

It’s never easy to replace someone you’ve lost, but life invariably must go on. KTM recognizes this, announcing the signing of Jordi Viladoms to its Dakar Rally factory team to take the spot of Kurt Caselli who succumbed to injuries in a crash at the SCORE Baja 1000.

“We are very aware that no one is able to replace Kurt, who was a special friend and teammate, but we believe that what we need now for the team is stability,” says Alex Doringer, manager of the Red Bull KTM Rally team. “Jordi has worked with us in the past and he has a lot of Dakar experience. This experience he has, along with the familiarity with the team, will help us during this difficult transition period.”

Viladoms will be a support rider for three-time Dakar winner Marc Coma, joining the team along with Ruben Faria and Francisco “Chaleco” Lopez. Villadoms raced for the KTM factory from 2006 to 2010, but finished a personal best of fourth in the 2012 Dakar Rally for the Bordone Ferrari team. Though he looks forward to rejoining the KTM factory team, Viladoms acknowledges the unfortunate circumstances that led to the opportunity.

“It’s obviously a shame to be inheriting the ride under such sad circumstances, but I’ll be doing my best to put on a good show in Kurt’s memory,” says Viladoms.

[Source: KTM]

By Dennis Chung