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Marc Coma Won't Be Riding in the Dakar 2016, Becomes the Sporting Director of the Rally

Marc Coma accepts the proposal of Dakar boss Etienne Lavigne and becomes the Sporting Director of the world's toughest cross-country race. After the echoes of the 2015 Dakar faded, we first heard that five-time winner Marc Coma would be switching over to cars in 2016. He later hinted that he might be back on two wheels with KTM, so the news comes as a big surprise.
Marc Coma is the new Sporting Director of the Dakar Rally 2 photos
Photo: Getty Images
Dakar 2016
Marc Coma is one of the most experienced riders and racers in the Dakar rally, having competed on no less than twelve editions, of which he won five. In the World Rally Championship, Coma also has 6 titles to his name, so it's easily understandable why the organizers want such a helping hand in the team.

Coma's job implies big responsibilities as he is now one of the main fellows who plan and organize the entire event. In fact, Coma has already started woking for the next edition of the Dakar and he will spend most of July reconnoitering for Amaury Sport Organization (ASO), the company that owns the Dakar Rally.

"My first reaction was "wow!" I was in shock!"

Lavigne's proposal came almost like a shock for Marc Coma as himself says. "Winning the Dakar 5 times was already a dream for me, but now I realise just how lucky I am: being part of the organising team, with this level of responsibility is an opportunity for me to put back into the rally everything that the Dakar has given me."

According to Dakar sources, it didn't take Coma too long to make a decision. Most likely, the perspective of experiencing the Dakar in a completely new way and becoming involved in the competition much more deeply were strong points in Coma's decision.

And the fact that he will be spending even more time in the South American wilderness finding and testing new routes the rest of the competitors will then have to follow is one more reward and a suitable way to end a racing career.

In fact, it looks like racing is not exactly over for Marc Coma, even though he has taken things to a whole new level. "I still feel a bit like a competitor, but since I've started working, I get the feeling that I will be looking at the race from different angles. I know that it's the right time for me. My goal is to put all my energy into ensuring that the Dakar remains the greatest rally in the world, and my philosophy is to give priority to a sense of adventure," he adds.
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