Frenchman Cyril Despres says he’s coming to Australia to become to first foreigner to win the Australasian Safari.

The factory KTM rider will make his first trip down under next month for the Safari in Western Australia, eager to claim the title from three-time winner Ben Grabham if the Aussie is fit to race.

“I’m predicting this race will be every bit as tough as the Rally dos Sertões,” Despres said. “Once again I will be up against lots of local riders who have a great understanding of the terrain in their country.

“For me it will be my first time in Australia so it will all be new to me. I think I’m right in saying that in the 18 years of the Australasian Safari the race has never been won by a foreigner.

“That’s a piece of history I would like to change!”

Western Australian motorsport fans can meet Despres and see his KTM 450 Rally bike along with a hundred other moto, auto and quad bike competitors at Hillary’s Boat Harbour on 22 September before they hit the WA outback.

Competitors will head up the coast to Geraldton and then inland through the remote northern goldfields, via Mt Magnet, Sandstone, Laverton and Leonora before reaching Kalgoorlie on 30 September.

Earlier this year, Despres finished runner-up in the world famous Dakar Rally.