Former rider, and five-time winner of the Dakar, Marc Coma (above, left) has been named as A.S.O.’s new sporting director for the event. Starting in the new role immediately, Coma will be spending the rest of this month carrying out recce work for the 2016 event.
Following his win in the 2015 event, Coma was approached by A.S.O.’s Etienne Lavigne about the role. “It was the first choice that came to my mind, because we both share the same passion for the Dakar,” explained Lavigne. “I know that when he commits to something, it is always to the full. I like his thoroughness and calmness. What’s more, we share the same values. He knows all the constraints of the event and he is a genuine leader. To co-pilot this event, in which the exceptional is a daily fact of life, this is the very least that we need”.
“Winning the Dakar five 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,” added Coma. “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”.
