KTM Rally Racing
When Marc Coma signed with KTM in 2003, Barcelona native finished third overall in the Dakar Rally, proving he had what it takes to be competitive in the world’s most challenging motorcycle race.
And this was true; while riding a KTM, Coma went on to win three Dakar Rally events: 2006, 2009 and 2011. But the Coma/KTM wins didn’t stop there; Coma was also World Rally Champion in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2010, and was victorious in the 2011 UAE Desert Challenge and the Sardinia Rally.
The Coma/KTM relationship has been a strong one, and will continue. The Austrian-based KTM reported Monday that Marc Coma has extended his contract to compete in international rallies with KTM, expressing his “desire to stay loyal to the brand where he started his career as a factory rider.”
Marc Coma (KTM Factory) says: “I am glad to have been part of the KTM family for 10 years now and I want to finish my career with the brand where I first started as a factory rider I am looking forward at the next challenges and I’ll be racing in the Pharaons Rally and the Morocco Rally in preparation for the 2012 Dakar Rally.”
Senior KTM officials also expressed great satisfaction that Coma will stay with the brand.
Pit Beirer (Head of KTM Motorsports) says: “We are proud to have had Marc with us for such a long time. Together we have achieved fantastic results in Rally sport over the past years and we want to achieve even more in the coming years. Marc is a great example of professionalism and of commitment to the sport and to KTM. Without a doubt he also represents pure motorcycle passion. Rally is extremely important for KTM and with Marc we have a true great and a superb rider on our 450 rally bike. ”
Heinz Kinigadner (senior company official, former Motocross World Champion and motorsports consultant to KTM) says: “Rally needs strong characters and lots of extra motivation and Marc has proved that when things are tough he is even stronger. Today he is not only a fixed part of the KTM family but also part of our company history.”