- Yamaha pulls out of all rally-raid competitions
- Was competing in Dakar Rally since 1979
- To focus more on Tenere 700
Yamaha will not be participating in the Dakar Rally or any other FIM Cross Country Rally World Championships. The Japanese manufacturer has announced that the 2022 edition of the iconic rally-raid competition was it's last, marking the end of its 40-year participation in the Dakar that commenced in 1979.
Well, Yamaha has stated that it will “shift to meeting evolving customer requirements in the off-road sector, considering the future introduction of the new Ténéré World Raid.” Moreover, it also accredits the decision to its off-road consumers that now have “different expectations” which the company must cater to.
That said, Yamaha hasn’t had the best of luck at the Dakar Rally in recent years, finishing 4th overall in 2022- another possible reason to withdraw from the event and focusing on other ways to showcase their motorcycles, especially the Tenere 700. However, Yamaha will continue racing in the four-wheeled category of the Dakar.
