KTM is pulling out all the stops when it comes to reclaiming Dakar Rally glory, with the Austrian brand announcing they have secured the services of Dakar legend Marc Coma as an advisor to the team for the coming rally.
Coma is no stranger to the KTM Dakar effort, he won the event five times on orange machinery before he retired from the saddle and took over as Race Director of the event from 2016-2018.
In 2020, still needing to scratch that Dakar itch, Coma competed in the car category at the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia as co-driver alongside world-renowned driver Fernando Alonso. At the end of that year, he was then appointed General Manager of KTM Spain, a position he continues to hold.
After the KTM Rally Team’s incredible 18 consecutive wins at the Dakar was finally broken by Honda in 2020 and 2021, the team’s top brass are hungry to regain the top step on the podium once again.
“With five Dakar wins to his name and as a legend in the sport, it is, of course, exciting to welcome Marc back to the world of rally competition within the KTM family, says KTM Rally Team Manager, Norbert Stadlbauer.
“Marc not only has the experience as a racer but also as a manager in his role with KTM Spain; all of this combined and his approach to the work means we are really pleased to have him back with us to support our teams in the quest for another Dakar victory. Marc will play a supportive role in all aspects of the rally in this Dakar focused role, and he will be a great asset to our team.”
Coma won’t just be looking after the KTM tent of riders, however, with the official press release from KTM suggesting that he will be joining to share his knowledge with KTM AG’s sub-brands Husqvarna and GasGas as well.
“January is looking like it’s going to be very busy for me, and I’m really excited to get started, Coma says.
“To be invited back to the rally department as an advisor for the next Dakar is a huge honour, but I believe I can be a true asset in assisting the whole set-up, and hopefully help to bring the victory back to one of our teams. I was a Dakar competitor for a long time, but after that I worked for three years with the organization, and I even did one year in a car as a co-driver. My feeling is that I can bring experience and a different point of view to help the riders and the teams achieve our goals. After seven years, I’m really happy to be going back to Dakar as part of KTM AG – I still have lots of friends involved in the racing and I’m looking forward to experiencing the spirit of Dakar once again, bringing some of my positive energy to everyone, and hopefully achieving our goal.”