KTM brings Dakar champion Matthias Walkner to India for rally events

KTM is bringing 2018 Dakar champion and four-time Dakar stage winner Matthias Walkner to India this September. The Austrian motorcycle brand has lined up the international rally star to mentor participants at its upcoming Adventure Rally Extreme sessions. If you have been planning to take your adventure bike onto serious trails or sharpen your off-road riding technique, this gives you a rare opportunity to learn directly from top-tier rally talent.

What is the KTM Adventure Rally Extreme

The training initiative is designed for riders who want to build real dirt riding skills and explore trail riding with proper guidance. Having an experienced international competitor on ground means participants can understand practical machine control, navigation basics, and body positioning directly from someone who has tackled the world toughest terrain.

For motorcycle owners across the country looking to step beyond tarmac touring, such manufacturer-backed coaching sessions provide a structured and safer environment to understand the limits of dual-sport and adventure motorcycling.

Event schedule for Mumbai and Bengaluru

The mentorship sessions and rider interactions are scheduled across two key cities during the month of September. Here are the core details confirmed for the upcoming schedule:

• Mentorship by 2018 Dakar champion Matthias Walkner
• Face to face rider interaction in Mumbai on September 11
• Dedicated Adventure Rally Extreme session in Bengaluru this September
• Focused training covering practical trail riding and off road skills

Why professional mentorship matters for adventure riders

Riding off the beaten track demands a completely different set of inputs compared to regular highway cruising. Small adjustments in balance, throttle control over loose gravel, and knowing how to read changing terrain make a massive difference in rider confidence and safety.

Getting pointers directly from a Dakar winner allows local riders to unlearn bad habits and adopt correct off-road fundamentals early. It also reinforces the growing community culture around adventure riding in India, giving enthusiasts a direct platform to engage with global motorsport standards.

Will you be signing up to train with Matthias Walkner this September?