Cyril Despres will spearhead Yamaha’s 2014 Dakar Rally campaign. Image: Yamaha Racing.

Yamaha Motor France has announced the signing of 2013 Dakar Rally Champion, Cyril Despres, to spearhead its attack on the 2014 event aboard the YZ450F-based machine.

Despres has an exceptional record of results at Dakar, and is the most successful rider of the last decade, securing wins in 2005, 2007, 2010 and 2012 to go with his victory in January this year.

The Frenchman’s move to Yamaha’s revolutionary rear-slanted YZ450F comes after he parted ways with KTM at the start of the year following a successful 12-year relationship.

Despres says he is motivated by the move to a brand which is synonymous with success at the challenging event which covers more than 8000 kilometres over two weeks.

“I am very motivated by the idea of joining Yamaha’s ‘men in blue’,” enthused Despres. “I remember watching them on TV as a boy and dreaming.

“Within the brand I have discovered a strong feeling of family, with an excellent flow of communication and a technical staff that is motivated and open to feedback.

“I am certain we will form a strong, united team, focused on one objective: achieving victory.

“I am also delighted to have Michael Metge as support rider. He is an ambitious newcomer who entered his first Dakar successfully this year and is extremely motivated.”

Despres’ deal with Yamaha extends to a two-year period which will also see him entered in the Sardegna Rally Race, the Rally Dos Sertoes (Brazil) and the Desafio Inca (Peru).

He is only one overall victory shy of the current record-holder, Stephane Peterhansel, who has won an incredible six Dakar Rally events, also aboard a Yamaha.