Rally organiser, Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) has considered some safety improvements ahead of 2021's rally event in response to the unfortunate deaths of riders named Paulo Goncalves and Edwin Straver in the rally conducted in Saudi Arabia.
The riders are not satisfied with the new 2021 Dakar tyre rules for safety. The controversial changes which involves limiting the riders with only six rear tyres for the rally which covers 12 days is an attempt to slow them down according to the riders.
KTM rider Matthias Walkner stated that the 2021 Dakar tyre rules would not have any impact on safety and will only increase the risk the riders have to take.
"It's a good approach to show that they want to change things, but there hasn't been much reflection. If you say that this regulation is to restore the adventure part and make the Dakar more exciting, it's a good approach.
"But if you say that it is to make it safer - which was the idea - and to reduce speeds, then it is complete nonsense. It won't make us slow down, at most it will lower the average by 3km/h.
"We always go to the limit and the more the tyre is worn, the harder it will be to control the bike. The good thing is that here [in Saudi Arabia] there is a lot of sand and this will not punish the tyre so much. But people should not make these decisions without us."
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Honda's rider Ricky Brabec stated, "I do not agree with the new rules, I think they are more dangerous and worse than before. If we have six rear tyres for 12 days of the race, you have to go with damaged tyres without being able to slow down.
"That's why I think it's crazy, and even more so in Saudi Arabia, where we were last year and saw how fast we went in that open desert. I don't think, no matter what they try, that we will slow down in competition."
Walkner also added that the rule which involved riders no longer able to carry out minor repairs in the 15 minute window for refuelling and only afterwards is absurd and will only cause harm to the riders.
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"That's another nonsense like that of the tyres," said the Austrian. "Everyone should be able use those 15 minutes as they wish.
"It's dangerous that you can't do anything now until after those 15 minutes. Now you can only repair something quickly, because every second counts and you try not to lose too many."
