Husqvarna Motorcycles: the new FR 450 Rally at the Rallye du Maroc [PHOTO]

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing riders Skyler Howes and Luciano Benavides tested the FR 450 Rally 2022 brought into competition at the six days of Rally du Maroc, scheduled for the next few days 8 e 13 October.

The new model

The Rallye du Maroc, the penultimate event of the 2021 FIM Cross-Country Rallies world championship, is a competition developed over six days which includes a short Prologue together with five stages. An event developed around a single bivouac present in Zagora and is characterized by technical slopes and dunes. Each stage starts and ends in the Moroccan city, according to a "petal" format designed for logistical and safety issues. The race covers a total of 2.656,61 km, of which over 1.600 km of timed special stages, including the 10 km Prologue scheduled for 8 October to define the starting order.

After failing to participate in the third round of the championship, the team has been stuck since the Silk Way Rally last July. On this occasion, Skyler Howes demonstrated his talent. The driver was second in the championship after two rounds, but his absence from the third round in Brazil has pushed him into third position and he is now focused on the test in Morocco which features sand dunes and rocky tracks reminiscent of the legendary Dakar, as mentioned. Another test to be held this time on the new FR 450 Rally.

during 2021 edition of Kazakhstan Rally, around Aqtau on the Caspian Sea, from June 8 to 13, 2021

Also present was Luciano Benavides who achieved an eighth place at the last Silk Way Rally. The driver previously withdrew due to injury at the 2021 Dakar Rally and recovered over the first half of the year. He is currently seventh in the championship standings, 12 points behind his teammate. Having completed the month of testing with the team, he returns to the Rallye du Maroc.
The new Husqvarna FR 450 Rally it is the result of two years of development work, which allowed us to obtain results in all areas. Highlights among the new features include a new chassis, slimmer superstructures and a new engine. As mentioned, Howes and Benavides will have the new model available in the Moroccan stage.

Photo: Husqvarna Motorcycles