Marc Coma Retires from Racing

Despite the initial hints of a return to the Dakar Rally for 2016, Marc Coma has other plans, it seems. The famous Spanish rally-raid rider has announced his retirement from racing, but not the sport entirely. He has announced that he will be working as a Sporting Director for the Dakar Rally in 2016.

This comes as a surprise, because most expected Coma to contend for his sixth dakar Rally win in 2016.

“This level of responsibility is an opportunity for me to put back into the rally everything that the Dakar has given me,” said 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.”

With such an amazing career of 12 Dakar rallies, five wins, and six world championships under his belt, Coma said he believed the time was right to hang up the boots. “I have to be honest with myself and with all the people who have been supported me along those years. To my sponsors and especially KTM, where I’ve always felt at home, thank you.”

“As a new sportive director of Dakar, I will have the chance to give back all the energy that somehow the rally has given me. THANK YOU all for your support. Always #ThrottleToTheDonkey!”

Coma’s departure from Dakar has left the door open for the a new generation of riders to shine under the spotlight. So who will be next Marc Coma? Australia’s Toby Price? We’ll see!