Schumacher rode a 990cc KTM Super Duke in the 10-lap KTM Trophy race.

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Chile's Francisco Lopez, riding a KTM, took the honors in the motorcycle section with a clocking of seven minutes 51 seconds.

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Two years ago, 2001 and 2002 champion Fabrizio Meoni of Italy and Juan Manuel Perez of Spain, both motorcyclists with KTM, were killed.

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Last year's winner, Cyril Despres of France, who is bidding for a fifth Dakar crown, finished fifth on his KTM, 13 seconds back.

CNN: Sainz and Lopez win Dakar Rally opener in Peru

Another Frenchman, Cyril Despres, extended his lead to 2:22 over fellow-KTM rider and defending champion Marc Coma in the motorcycle section, after his fourth stage victory.

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But McRae also faces tough competition from Joan Roma, who makes the switch to four wheels with Mitsubishi after winning last season's motorcycle event on a KTM.

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Hungary's Gabor Tamalcsi took advantage of a wild last lap to win the 125cc race on a KTM ahead of Switzerland's Thomas Luthi and Joan Olive of Spain.

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Riding a KTM, he was more than two minutes ahead of France's David Fretigne on a Yamaha and 3mins 32secs ahead of American Chris Blais, also on a KTM.

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Although he only signed his contract with KTM less than a fortnight before the start of the season, Byrne clearly has high hopes for what they can achieve together.

BBC: Shane Byrne in action for Aprilia last season