The Czech stable Orion – Moto Racing Group will deploy five riders to the Dakar Rally in January, of which three will be newcomers. “I don’t even remember so many competitors in the motocross team,” said manager Ervín Krajčovič senior.
In addition to the proven matadors Martin Michek and Milan Engel, three competitors will make their debut in blue and yellow colors.
Dušan Drdaj, Martin Prokeš and Jaroslav Romančík earned their place in the Dakar by successfully completing the October Moroccan Rally.
“Finding a quality motorcyclist who wants to go to the Dakar Rally is a big problem. And we wanted to stay with Czech racers so that the fans have the opportunity to cheer for as many of our guys as possible,” said Krajčovič.
How did the trio of novices on KTM bikes crystallize? Behind each of them is a different racing story.
“I have been selecting competitors all year. Jára Romančík, who took home bronze from Šestidenná, last year’s Czech motocross champion in the MX1 royal class, Dušan Drdaj, and domestic off-road marathon champion from 2022, Martin Prokeš, dropped out. The Dakar has grown tremendously in recent years changed. It’s more of a motocross and I chose the riders accordingly,” explained the manager of Orion – Moto Racing Group.
With the increase in the number of riders to more than double, the logistical demands also increased. “It makes a big difference to have two people or five. We have a second service truck. You also have to have other mechanics and other drivers, so we’re really like a pretty big squad. Fifteen people are the basis of the team.”
To make servicing as easy as possible, all riders have the same motorcycle. “Everyone rides a KTM 450 Rally Replica machine. They are the same bikes, but everyone has them adjusted to their needs. In Morocco, we fine-tuned things like the height of the seat, the adjustment of the handlebars and also the suspension, because each competitor weighs differently,” said Krajčovič.
The experienced motorcycle boss is happy that all the preparations were done before the departure of the machines for boarding in Barcelona, but he also had a weak moment.
“When we came back from Morocco, we dumped the scrap from the Moroccan rally in the workshops and realized that in less than a month we have to prepare the Dakar again, I started to have goosebumps. And also regrets that I went into such a project. At the moment we are packed and ready. I’m glad it worked out and we’re ready to race,” said Krajčovič at the recent presentation of the Orion – Moto Racing Group team at the Pop Airport shopping center in Tuchoměřice.
Ervín Krajčovič Jr. also works in the team in the role of media manager. But according to his father, there is no question about the Dakar debut of the new flat track world champion. “Leave it alone, the five boys and a young one are enough for me,” the head of the successful stable was horrified. “I don’t even know if we could get away with it at home.”
The last preparations of the Orion – Moto Racing Group team before the departure of the equipment to Barcelona:
