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. With the Dakar 2009, KTM, the company that is always "Ready to Race" not only celebrated the top two podium positions; eight of the top 10 riders were onboard KTM machines, underlining dominance of the sports machines "Made in Austria".
Coma dominates
The figure of Coma, the tall Spaniard hunched over his machine and way out in front became the most lingering visual memory of what competitors agreed was probably the most difficult Dakar in the long history of the world's toughest rally. After more than 52 hours on the bike Coma came 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 of losing the last Dakar in 2007 through injury in the very final stages and the last minute cancellation of the 2008 Dakar in Africa because of security concerns. Coma thus reclaims the number one plate from Despres to register his second Dakar title and described his feelings saying "happiness doesn't even come close".
