Multiple world champ ends his long-term relationship with KTM
Multiple World Enduro Champion David Knight has sensationally ended his long-term relationship with KTM and signed to ride for BMW Motorrad in the 2009 World Enduro Championship as well as contest the International Six Days Enduro and other high-profile events for the German brand. The big Manxman, who is currently wrapping up his second consecutive title in the blue-riband US Grand National Cross Country series for the KTM factory, made a surprise appearance on BMW's latest 450cc dirt bike at a local enduro event on the Isle of Man on Sunday 21 September, blitzing the entire field during this shake-down test after announcing his career move for next year. Having already held secret tests on his own track on the Island, Knight reported that the BMW in standard preproduction form was significantly faster than his works KTM four-stroke tool. Knight had previously said that he was "bored" with the GNCC series in America and wanted to return to the world stage but KTM preferred him to continue promoting its wares in the big US off-road market.