Rallye raid : Cyril Despres switches to Yamaha / Cyril Despres signe avec Yamaha

 Cyril Despres announed at a press conference today that he has signed a two-year deal with Yamaha Motor France. The five-time Dakar winner will be targeting a sixth success on the famous cross-country rally in 2014, riding a Yamaha/Michelin. 

 

Cyril Despres a annoncé aujourd’hui lors d’une conférence de presse son partenariat pour deux saisons avec Yamaha Motor France. Le quintuple vainqueur du Dakar visera une sixième victoire sur le célèbre rallye-raid au guidon d’une Yamaha-Michelin.

Following the news of his split with KTM in March, there have been plenty of rumours doing the rounds concerning the Frenchman’s future. Some observers predicted a return to Honda, with whom he made his debut, while others foresaw a switch to Husqvarna, or Yamaha.
Cyril Despres has finally opted for the latter and has signed a two-year contract. His focus will now be on winning next January’s Dakar for the Japanese make whose most recent success on the event dates back to 1998, with Stéphane Peterhansel.
 
Depuis l’annonce de sa séparation avec KTM en mars dernier, les rumeurs allaient bon train sur l’avenir de Cyril Despres. Certains le voyaient revenir chez Honda, marque avec laquelle il a débuté, d’autres chez Husqvarna ou encore chez Yamaha.
C’est enfin officiel, Cyril Despres a signé un contrat de deux ans avec la marque aux diapasons. L’objectif est très clair, remporter la victoire dès le prochain Dakar où Yamaha a enlevé son dernier succès en 1998 avec Stéphane Peterhansel.

Visions at Villa d'Este - Concorso Concepts

Since 2005, prototypes and concept cars have been given their own class at Villa d’Este. We look at the highlights of this year’s group of future classics. 

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BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Concept


Following last year’s partnership with Zagato, BMW has once again used Villa d’Este to display a collaboration with a tradition-steeped design studio. This time round it’s Pininfarina, and the result is the one-off, V12-powered Gran Lusso Coupé. It blends modern luxury with traditional BMW cues (long bonnet, short overhangs), plus an added dash of Italian flair. Could it be time to resurrect the 8 Series nameplate? 

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Alfa Romeo TZ3 Stradale by Zagato


At 2010’s Villa d’Este spectacular, Zagato showcased its modern interpretation of the iconic Kamm-tailed TZ racing cars of the 60s. That was the ‘Corsa’ version, though; this year sees the inclusion of the road-going ‘Stradale’ iteration, of which nine were made. 

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Aston Martin CC100


Having been introduced at last weekend’s Nurburgring 24 Hours by leading a parade lap alongside a DBR1 piloted by Sir Stirling Moss, the CC100 concept has made the cross-continent journey to Italy. Based on V12 Vantage underpinnings, it previews a possible styling direction for the marque, all the while honouring the legendary 1959 Le Mans-winning car. 

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Pininfarina Sergio


With the LaFerrari’s styling being taken care of in-house, the Italian design house had some capacity to create a new interpretation of the Ferrari-Pininfarina alliance for Geneva. It was dedicated to late Chairman Sergio Pininfarina, and used 458 running gear cloaked in an aerodynamic-focused barchetta body – the latter looks even more impressive in the stunning setting of its homeland. 

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McLaren P1


It’s not long now before the first lucky owners take delivery of their P1 hypercars, so Villa d’Este is the perfect opportunity for the concept to enjoy its last public hurrah. Given the type of visitors the event attracts, it might also act as an open-air showroom for the remaining one-third of the production run (of 375 units) that are apparently unspoken for, as yet. 

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Alfa Romeo Disco Volante by Touring

Before the road-going version’s launch at Geneva earlier this year, Classic Driver was the first publication in the world to get behind the wheel of the arresting 'DV', having followed its development since the previous year’s show. A few months on, and the apt setting has only served to extend our appreciation of the Alfa 8C-based extraterrestrial. 

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Text: Joe Breeze (Classic Driver)
Photos: Jan Baedeker / Nanette Schärf 

ROYAL ENFIELD BY TENDANCE ROADSTER

In Paris, the main Royal Enfield dealer is Tendance Roadster. They’re based in Levallois-Perret, near the old Clément-Bayard factory where Citroën built the 2CV. Dealer principal Guillaume Tirard is a fan of custom bikes too, and after a weekend getting bogged down in mud during a forest ride, he decided to modify a Bullet Electra Deluxe.

Compared to a stock Royal Enfield, Tirard’s bike has more considerably more power, more grip in the dirt, and less weight. He’s installed Tendance’s ‘Solution F Engine preparation,’ a kit that gives 27% more power via a high compression piston, a hotter cam, and a remapped injection system (and new control unit). The custom exhaust is slim and sits high, scrambler-style—a marked contrast to the unusually low placement of the standard exhaust.

The tank, headlamp and side panels have been refinished in matte black, and the tank fitted with classic knee grips. The wheels are now Akront-type Morad rims, shod with Mitas E-09 enduro rubber. New aluminum fenders have been installed, with a small rack behind the seat for carrying a daypack. Offroad bars create an airier cockpit and give the rider more leverage.

The chunky taillight and indicators of the stock Royal Enfield have been replaced by slimline items more in keeping with the retro feel of the bike, and the large two-up seat has given way to a lightweight brown leather sprung seat.

They’re relatively simple but well-chosen mods, and they completely transform the character of the rather staid Bullet Electra. Top marks for a thoughtful build—and I bet it’strès amusant to ride as well.

Visit the Tendance Roadster website (in French) and Facebook page for more details. Images by Daniel Beres.

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