KTM, the world’s No. 1 premium motorcycle brand, today announced KTM ADVENTURE RALLY EXTREME – an exclusive rally experience that gives KTM Adventure owners the rare opportunity to ride alongside, interact with and learn directly from Matthias Walkner, the 2018 Dakar Rally Champion and one of the world’s most accomplished rally athletes. Inspired by the world’s toughest rally, KTM ADVENTURE RALLY EXTREME brings Indian riders closer than ever before to the mindset, skills and experiences that define Dakar, offering them a true taste of the sport through an immersive learning experience.
A Rare Opportunity to Experience Dakar
Beginning in Mumbai on September 11, KTM ADVENTURE RALLY EXTREME will travel to Bengaluru on September 15, marking the first time Indian riders will have the opportunity to experience an immersive, rally training program led by a Dakar champion.
The experience unfolds in two parts in each city. The first day is open to all riders and enthusiasts, where Matthias Walkner will share his Dakar journey, experiences from the world’s toughest rally, and the lessons learned from competing at the highest level of off-road motorsport.
The following two days are reserved exclusively for 100 KTM Adventure owners selected through a national application process assessed by a KTM expert panel. Across Mumbai and Bengaluru, riders will participate in four training batches of 25 riders each, ensuring focused learning and direct interaction with Matthias Walkner.
More Than a Ride
Across these sessions, participants will experience the world of rally racing through modules led by Matthias Walkner, covering rally mindset, physical conditioning, roadbook navigation, motorcycle self-recovery, and trail-side repairs. The experience culminates in a scored rally challenge aboard the production-spec KTM 390 Adventure – the very same motorcycle available to customers in India, carrying forward the engineering philosophy inspired by the Dakar-winning KTM 450 Rally.
From India to Europe
The top-performing rider from each city will earn an all-expenses-paid trip to Europe to participate in a two-day advanced roadbook navigation experience under the guidance of Matthias Walkner, extending their KTM ADVENTURE RALLY EXTREME journey onto the global stage.
Access of this nature is typically reserved for factory teams and professional racers. Through KTM ADVENTURE RALLY EXTREME, 100 Indian KTM owners step directly into that world, with two riders earning the opportunity to continue their experience in Europe.
Built on KTM’s Adventure Experiences
KTM ADVENTURE RALLY EXTREME builds on KTM’s commitment to creating world-class experiences for its owners. Earlier this year, the KTM Adventure Rally introduced riders to globally benchmarked adventure riding experiences. Born off-road, KTM has always believed that adventure is learned through experience, and KTM ADVENTURE RALLY EXTREME takes that philosophy a step further by bringing a global rally champion to train Indian riders firsthand.
Commenting on the announcement, Dinesh Kulkarni, Head – Probiking Business Unit, said, “Very few riders ever get the opportunity to spend time with a Dakar champion, let alone ride alongside one. KTM ADVENTURE RALLY EXTREME is our way of bringing that world closer to Indian KTM owners. It is not just about riding; it is about experiencing the mindset, preparation, and resilience that define Dakar through someone who has lived it. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience that only KTM can offer.” Meet Matthias Walkner
Making his first visit to India, Matthias Walkner brings with him an extraordinary racing career that includes the 2018 Dakar Rally title, the 2015 FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship, and three Dakar podium finishes. Through KTM RALLY EXTREME, he will share the techniques, preparation, and mindset developed over years of competing at the highest level of rally racing, offering Indian riders an experience rarely available outside professional motorsport.
Speaking about his first visit to India, Matthias Walkner, 2018 Dakar Rally Champion, said, “I am excited to visit India for the first time and meet KTM riders who share a passion for adventure. KTM ADVENTURE RALLY EXTREME is about much more than riding – it’s about learning the mindset, navigation, and skills that make a complete adventure rider. I look forward to sharing my Dakar experience with them.”
The World’s Toughest Rally
The Dakar Rally is widely regarded as the toughest motorsport event in the world. The 2026 edition alone covered close to 8,000 kilometers across the deserts of Saudi Arabia, traversing shifting dunes, rocky terrain, and marathon stages that test endurance, navigation, and self-reliance. KTM ADVENTURE RALLY EXTREME draws inspiration from this world, giving Indian riders first-hand exposure to the techniques, preparation, and mindset required to conquer one of motorsport’s greatest challenges.
KTM’s Dakar DNA
Few names carry greater authority in rally racing than KTM. With 21 Dakar Rally victories, including an unprecedented streak of 18 consecutive wins, KTM has established itself as the undisputed King of Dakar. This racing pedigree continues to shape KTM’s motorcycles, with the KTM 390 Adventure sharing its engineering philosophy with the Dakar-winning KTM 450 Rally, carrying forward the same adventure-focused DNA forged through decades of competition at the world’s toughest rally.
