KTM's three times Dakar winner Marc Coma has been drafted into the rider line-up for the Factory KTM Baja Team to compete in the 44th Annual running of the Tecate SCORE/Baja 500. The legendary desert race is being held in Ensenada, Mexico June 3-5, 2012.

In swapping four wheels for two, Stephane Peterhansel confirms his participation in the Sardegna Rally. The event, which marks the third round of the 2012 FIM Cross Country Rally World Championship, 23-28 June, will no doubt become an even greater interest as one of the sport’s legends competes against the new generation of rally riders.

With a list of competitors confirmed that already includes KTM’s Marc Coma and Cyril Despres, plus Yamaha’s Helder Rodrigues and the Husqvarna pairing of Joan Barreda and Paulo Gonclaves along with Chilean Francisco Lopez, Peterhansel’s entry ensures that this year’s race in Sardinia will be one to watch.

However, the ten times Dakar Rally winner is not just out to “make up the numbers” and in preparation for the event has already begun training with Andrea Mayer in order to be well prepared for the race.

For the new recruits of rally, racing together with a legend of the sport will be an honour but also one that they will determined to beat. Whether Peterhansel can record a top result remains to be seen but regardless of the outcome, his iconic name among the entry list is sure to keep race interest high.

Rally Raid UK, the British based company that specialise in providing vehicular and driver assistance for the Dakar Rally and rally racing have leaked details of their new Desert Raider 450. Based on the successful Italian TM Racing 450 enduro model, the Desert Raider is an exciting new project for Rally Raid UK.

Marc Coma controls his race lead to win the inaugural Sealine Rally in Qatar. Husqvarna’s Juan Barreda wins the fourth and final stage to cap of a successful end to a bittersweet week for the Spaniard…