Bad news for Honda

In the run up to the Dakar Rally, Honda who are entering for the first time in 30 years and are determined to try and break KTM's stranglehold on the race have suffered a major set back.

Honda Factory riders Sam Sunderland and Filipe Zanol both suffered bad accidents in training for the rally in California.

The following is from Trail Bike Magazine:

Early reports from HRC’s Dakar test in the Mojavi desert suggest that both promising Brit Sam Sunderland and Brazilian regular Felipe Zanol could both miss the 2013 Dakar due to crashes sustained during the test.

With just 29 days left until the start in Lima, Peru it is being reported that Sam has crashed his CRF450 on the first day of testing and has sadly broken his wrist and his left arm.

Felipe Zanol took an even heavier hit and was airlifted out of the desert after his fall. He is said to be undergoing tests after initially being placed in an artificial coma due to a head injury.

HRC were planning a huge attack on the Dakar in 2013 with a strong line-up and a new bike, but their challenge for the top positions and the title may have just taken a heavy hit.