KTM’s now annual NZ Adventure Rallye has a destination, but if you haven’t already got your entry in then it’s too late to get in amongst the action.
Selling out in a record 25 hours – with KTM New Zealand bumping the number of riders up to 130 from 110 – the 2019 KTM New Zealand Adventure Rallye will see the Orange Army take on the scenic coasts and rugged terrain of the northern South Island.
This year’s event will take place from November 9th to Thursday November 14th 2019, the Rallye returns to the South Island and a region featuring terrain that adventure riders dream of.
Over five action packed days will see the orange adventurers treated to a course set by local experts who are all Rallye riders themselves and are excited to showcase the stunning landscape of their backyard.
Set to explore the famous Top of the South regions of Nelson Tasman, Marlborough and Canterbury, “Sunny Nelson” provides the ideal location to start and finish the Rallye.
The event kicks off in Nelson, with riders heading straight into dirt within the first few kilometres of the trip with KTM promising a fun rocky climb followed by breathtaking views – and that is just the first 50km!
The route will then see riders head to Murchison along some of the local experts favourite tracks, as well as some of the South Island’s most famous adventure roads – the Rainbow and Molesworth Stations – with further overnights at the charismatic town of Hanmer Springs and the coastal port of Picton before returning to Nelson to cap off an epic week.
As per normal, the KTM Adventure Rallye is open to adventure riders with eligible KTM bikes: 640, 690, 950, 990, 1050, 1090, 1090R, 1190, 1190R, 1290 & 1290R models. New for this year is the addition of the new 790 and 790 Adventure R models to the eligibility roster, with 24 riders of the newly landed middleweight adventure securing their spot.
Also marking a first for the NZ Adventure Rallye will be the addition of two female riders to sign on to, along with their KTM’s, take on the Top of the South challenge.
The Main Route will be made up of winding back country roads, metal roads and well formed off road tracks. Riders on the Breakout routes can expect rocks, mud, hills, mountains, farmland and some real challenges thrown in for good measure.
Also making a return for 2019 is the KTM ULTIMATE RACE Qualifiers, which will see two lucky Rallye riders win the chance to participate in the 2020 Merzouga Rally in Morocco.
Last year’s KTM ULTIMATE RACE winners, Kevin Archer and Elliot Kent , placed 6th and 7th respectively at the Merzouga Rally.