MARC COMA

Marc Coma, a native of Barcelona Spain first won the Dakar Rally in 2006 in Africa and in 2009 repeated the success in South America. In 2010 Coma won the Rally World Championship for the fourth time following on from his titles in 2005, 2006 and 2007 and in January 2011 he triumphed for the third time in the Dakar after the closest of duels KTM factory rider Cyril Despres. 

In the 2012 edition of the Dakar Rally in South America, Marc fought another epic duel with teammate Despres and this time had to settle for send place. Either he or Despres have won the rally on alternate years for the past seven years. Coma has three titles and his rival now has four. 

Coma was introduced to motorcycles at an early age thanks to the enthusiasm of his father and uncle. He raced motocross at regional, provincial and national level before moving to Enduro. He was the Junior Spanish Champion in 1995 on a KTM 250 cc and went on to do well in Enduro at national and international level before committing to professional rally competition.

Coma first contested the Dakar Rally in 2002 when he rode a CSV motorcycle but had to retire with mechanical problems while in the top 20 of the field. He joined KTM as part of the Repsol team for the Dakar in 2003. He finished in third in four stages and established himself as a serious contender.

He was successful in 2012 by again securing the FIM Cross Country Rally World Championship title before the four round season had finished. But then in the Rally of Morocco, his final event of the season he crashed and injured his shoulder. While he and his medical staff worked hard on the injury unfortunately just before Christmas he was ruled out of starting in the Dakar Rally 2013. Marc's shoulder injury had not completely healed and still did not have full movement in the injured joint. US offroad factory rider Kurt Caselli was drafted into the team to ride Coma's bike for the Dakar and allow the three times winner to regain full health. Marc is recognized for his skill and determination and an unflinching will to win that has driven him to the forefront of his sport.