Registration for the 2016 Dakar for motorcycles and quads closed on Wednesday, July 15, as usual, two months after it opened on May 15. Prior to that date, KTM announced that it will start two factory teams next year. KTM also thanked Marc Coma for all his efforts as a KTM rider as the Spaniard is retiring from racing.
KTM to start two Dakar teams in 2016
On the occasion of the retirement of one of the world’s most distinguished Rally riders, KTM Factory Racing wishes to extend very sincere thanks to Marc Coma for thirteen years of sporting dedication.
Coma ends his career after 13 years of competitive racing on KTM, five Dakar victories and six Cross Country Rallies world titles!
Pit Beirer, Head of KTM Motorsports:“We thank Marc for many wonderful years with KTM. We are happy and proud that he finishes his active career at the very pinnacle of racing and we wish him ongoing success in the next stage of his career. We are naturally very pleased that he will stay with Rally sport and that we will continue to have contact with him. Marc will always be a friend of KTM and he will always belong to the KTM Family.”
Coma is leaving active racing immediately to take up his new position, an appropriate occasion also, Beirer confirmed, to announce the new structure of the KTM Rally Factory Racing Team.
Marc Coma retires from racing
“We have already been planning for three years for the change of generation in our riders. We’re confident that we have a fine balance of experience and youth, who are “READY TO RACE” in the true KTM tradition. Our new team will certainly deliver the top results that will ensure KTM remains the driving force in Rally sport. The future looks very bright and we are ready for the challenge,” Beirer added.
Alex Doringer, Manager of the KTM Rally Factory Racing Team commented: “We all appreciate the time and victories we had with our rider and friend Marc. We look forward to our new generation of riders taking up the challenge and delivering more victories. We intend to continue to compete at the highest level and to play a dominant role in the world of Rally sport. We would like to send a big thank you to Marc Coma and to wish him all the best in his new direction!”
Doringer also confirmed the additional presence of the official satellite team of KTM Warsaw Motorrally under the experienced management of Marek and Filip Dabrowski. “I am happy that we are also able to count on the continued presence of the satellite team. They are our valued and long term partners,” Doringer said.
Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Racing Team
Jordi Viladoms (ESP)
Sam Sunderland (GBR)
Matthias Walkner (AUT)
Toby Price (AUS)
KTM Rally Factory Racing Team
Antoine Meo (FRA)
Laia Sanz (ESP)
Pablo Quintanilla (CHI)
Source: KTM
