KTM’s Marc Coma and Cyril Despres, both 3 x Dakar winners, set out in Mar Del Plata on New Year’s Day each in pursuit of a fourth victory in the Dakar 2012, the world’s toughest rally. After Stage 7 and on the eve of the only rest day in the 15-day, 9,000 km competition, the rivalry is as fierce as ever. Coma took Stage 7 and Despres stays in charge of the overall standings

The two factory riders, one of the great rivalries in modern motorsports are equally determined to ensure that the 2012 edition is remembered as a copybook example of their skill and determination on their KTM 450 rally bikes.