Supersprox wins Dakar again as HRC technical supplier
"It is not by chance that Supersprox sprockets have been fitted on all the winning bikes in the Dakar rally since Cyril Despres in 2005," says Supersprox General Director DJ Maughfling.
"When Honda decided to enter the rally in 2013, Supersprox was chosen as the technical partner for sprockets and many different test versions were beaten and battered before Honda stood once more on the top podium spot.
"In 2021, Kevin Benavedes proved that it was not a fluke victory for Honda in 2020 - the fight for a victory in the motorcycle category can never be taken for granted and must be fought for every day, every year. The 2021 Dakar saw fantastically close racing, with the lead changing almost every day - the first three positions were up for grabs right up to the 10th stage.
"With such long races and marathon days (up to 740 km), where there is no outside support crew for the riders, it is vital that all the components, even those like sprockets and chain that sometimes have overlooked importance, hold up - they have to last the race in order for the rider and his team to be able to finish. There can be no weak points in the success system.
"The big challenge for hybrid sprockets is thermal expansion, where the steel and the aluminium expand and contract at different rates, creating massive stresses on the connected parts. Honda engineers have assisted with R&D to allow Supersprox to design a more stable sprocket, one that can resist the fatigue stress cracking, caused by the constant movement of the different materials.
"In the diagram can be seen the original design (2013) and the latest version (2021). The addition of six steps, supported by intermediate legs, has allowed the sprocket weight to be reduced by 11%, without risking its integrity. Supersprox also supports KTM, Husqvarna, Yamaha and Hero factory teams for world rally championships and Dakar. Altogether more than 70% of all competitors in Dakar 2021 were using Supersprox."
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