Marc Coma has won three Dakar rallies in the last five years. The Repsol rider, who won last year's rally, will be aiming for his second consecutive title when the 2012 Dakar rally kicks off on New Year's day in South America.
Thanks to the riding efforts of Cyril Despres, Coma hasn't been able to string together two consecutive victories. Coma and Despres, the two favorites at this year's edition of the Dakar rally, have been alternating victories for the last 6 years. Coma will be hoping to put an end to that tradition in 2012.
"Truth is I have very good feelings and I am in full physical form. We expect a tough and demanding rally, where experience will be a key factor. Although we have to be focused from the first day, the stages in Atacama and Peru can decide the race," Coma said. "I don't feel pressure, so I simply face the race with the same strength and determination. I will compete as always and then we will see what we can do. To win again will undoubtedly be the best reward, as there have been some years that a winner does not repeat victory, but we have to do it step by step".
Coma is one of the best off-road endurance riders in the world, but even he can be taken down by the grueling Dakar course. Here's a video of Marc Coma's crash from last year's Dakar rally.
You can check out videos on Cyril Despres and Chris Birch here.
