IN
THE
WIND
P28
DESPRES
TO FOUR
WHEELS
F
ive-time Dakar Rally winner
Cyril Despres will make the
move from two wheels to four,
the Frenchman having signed a
contract with Peugeot Sport that
will see him spearhead the com-
pany's return to rally racing after
a 25-year hiatus.
"Peugeot Sport offered me
a place as a driver on their new
rally-raid project," said Despres,
who inked a two-year contract
with Yamaha last year for the
2014 and 2015 seasons. "Such
an opportunity only comes once
in a career. However, because
I made a commitment with Ya-
maha and Eric de Seynes, I will
make sure I continue to share my
knowledge and experience with
the young Yamaha rally-raid rid-
ers. Peugeot have allowed me
the possibility to train on a mo-
torcycle and to take part in two
or three races per year with a Ya-
maha enduro bike."
Yamaha finished third and
fourth in this year's Dakar with
Olivier Pain finishing third and
Despres fourth. Despres won
three stages in the rally.
De Seynes was understanding
of Depres' career change.
"We can't but respect the inter-
est that a large car manufacturer
like Peugeot takes in a motorcy-
cle rider like Cyril Despres," said
de Seynes, operational director
of Yamaha Motor Europe. "For
sure, we had some shared am-
bitions with Cyril, who is a great
competitor, so this opportunity of
his means we will have to adapt
our plans moving forward. But
we have a strong rally team, a
very competitive motorcycle,
professional assistance and
we will have competitive riders
with the objective for victory in
2014/15. Cyril will remain in the
world of motorcycles as a motor-
cycle ambassador of Yamaha,
and will bring us his support as
we continue to challenge for off-
road glory with our rally-raid de-
velopment program."
Cyril Despres will
get a roll cage in
his next racing
venture.
SWINGERS!
I
t sort of goes without saying, but don't try
this at home. It will jack up your garden.
And you may hang yourself. Neither will
make you popular with your neighbors.
