Marc Coma takes 2009 Dakar podium
By TMX Archives on 18th Jan 09
One-two on 2009 Dakar podium and eight of top ten on KTM machines . After more than 9000 km through the often challenging and always spectacular scenery of Argentina and Chile, KTM factory rider Marc Coma crossed the line as the outstanding winner to claim the prize as the first winner of a Dakar held in South America.
Coma dominates
The figure of Coma, the tall Spaniard hunchedover his machine and way out in front became the most lingering visual memory ofwhat competitors agreed was probably the most difficult Dakar in the longhistory of the world's toughest rally. After more than 52 hours on the bike Comacame home 1h25'38 ahead of fellow KTM factory rider Frenchman Cyril Despres.Coma's victory was not only deserved but also served to blur the memories oflosing the last Dakar in 2007 through injury in the very final stages and thelast minute cancellation of the 2008 Dakar in Africa because of securityconcerns. Coma thus reclaims the number one plate from Despres to register hissecond Dakar title and described his feelings saying "happiness doesn't evencome close".
Despres underlines his fighting spirit
Andwhile Despres had to settle for second place, he more than underlined hiswarrior status with a superb race for second. Beset with problems in the earlystages of the rally, Despres fought his way back from twenty second place to wina whole string of stages and get right back into contention. He fought the goodfight against Frenchman David Fretegne for second place and was generous in hispraise of Coma's victory saying he rode a "truly excellent race". The two may berivals in any major competition but they still share the bond of being KTM's twoleading rally factory riders. Despres also said although he was disappointed notto win it had been a "personal triumph" to fight his way back and find themotivation to continue to ride and to race. The other two KTM factory riders,Jordi Viladoms (Spain) and Alain Duclos (France) whose principle task was tosupport the two leaders came in seventh and thirty second respectively.
A Dakar to remember
The race, that started in Buenos Aires,went south across the Pampa to Patagonia then west across the Andes to thedeserts of Chile, north along the coast to La Serena, continued to Copiapo andthe notorious Atacama Desert, reputedly the world's driest, then back across theAndes to ultimately finish back in the Argentine capital. Ironically it was fogand rain that interrupted the second half of the rally causing Stage 11 to becancelled and Stage 13 to be shortened. In addition, no competitor will forgetStage 12, including the formidable white dunes that delivered some of thetoughest challenges and the most spectacular images of what will always remain aDakar to remember. Also unforgettable was the enthusiasm of the crowds inArgentina and Chile who celebrated the race for what it really is: the world'sgreatest rally.
