Dakar 2014 Special: Marc Coma, the four-time champion

The Dakar 2014 came to an end yesterday with a closing 13th stage, covering 157 kilometres to the finish, where our own Marc Coma was crowned champion of this 2014 edition, adding his fourth crown in the toughest race in the world. Today we therefore begin the special features on the Spanish riders who have taken part in this very special event, starting with the champion of champions, Marc Coma.

Coma took part in this 2014 edition with his KTM, and with great enthusiasm, especially considering that the previous two years had been quite difficult in his relationship with the Dakar. In 2012 he was runner-up in an intense battle for the crown, but it was not to be and he had to settle for second place. Even worse was what happened in 2013, when he was unable to take part in the Dakar because of an injury, leaving victory to Despres without being able to challenge him on the track.

But the time for 2014 had come, and he arrived at this edition with his batteries fully charged, fully prepared physically, mechanically and mentally. He thus got off to a strong start in the first special, where he finished second. He then had some problems in the second stage, where he crossed the line in 9th place, while in the third stage he took third place, repeating that position in the fourth stage. But it was on the fifth day of action that the KTM rider achieved his GREAT MOMENT.

The fifth stage of this edition was one of the most difficult, and many riders dropped out, but Coma managed to overcome the difficulties and secured a very important victory, which took him to first place in the overall classification, a position he would not relinquish until the finish in Valparaíso. He then moved up to second place in the sixth stage, and likewise on the seventh day, while keeping first place overall, with a big advantage over his pursuers. The eighth stage again left him in second place, while on the ninth day we saw the KTM rider claim his second victory of this edition.

After the halfway point of the competition, the KTM rider began his most strategic phase, that is, he started controlling the distances and trying not to make mistakes, finishing fifth in the tenth stage and first in the eleventh day. Although he would later lose this third victory because of a penalty for changing his engine, he was also the fastest on that day, which showed him the path to the finish.

In the penultimate day he finished second, without taking risks, but without losing the gap, very different from the strategy planned for the final stage, in which he wanted to avoid problems and decided to go calmly, reaching the finish in 19th place. Maintaining his advantage over his pursuers, and returning to glory after two very difficult seasons, Marc has come back with everything.

His fourth crown has come in 2014. He won it with strength, with rhythm, with strategy, with passion and with great effort. The toughest race in the world has once again shown why it is, but Coma has achieved his goal: to reach Valparaíso and lift his trophy.

Coma’s statements:

It has been an extreme and very harsh Dakar. Without the right people behind me it would have been impossible to win. We have worked very well throughout the race and in the preparation. I want to dedicate this victory to my friend Kurt Caselli, who I’m sure, from wherever he is, has not helped much these days. Last year I went through a very complicated situation and I have come back here, to the Dakar, at the same level as before the injury, and I have won the race again. I think all of this says a lot about the people I have around me.

I am very proud of this victory. The key to winning the Dakar has been, above all, not making any major mistakes. On the day we made some mistake we were able to push on without losing much time. There is a lot of effort, sacrifice and work behind this victory. These are two weeks in which you live on the edge, and when it’s over it’s only natural that everything comes out.

Congratulations Marc, four-time champion.