Dubai: Six-times world champion Marc Coma will contest the final round of the Emirates Desert Championship next week to boost his bid for an eighth bikes victory in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge next month.
Coma, who secured his fifth Dakar Rally triumph in January, will use the climax of the national Baja series on March 6 as part of his preparations for the 25th edition of the Desert Challenge, opening round of this year’s FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship from March 27-April 2.
Making his debut in the Emirates Desert Championship alongside Dubai-based KTM Factory teammate Sam Sunderland, the reigning FIM world champion becomes the latest high profile international competitor to enter the Baja series for bikes, cars, buggies and quads this season.
Mohammad Bin Sulayem, President of the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE and the Emirates Motor Sport Federation, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Marc to the Desert Championship. His appearance emphasises the growing status of series, and we expect many more top competitors to follow in the future.
“Our local competitors will enjoy sharing the stage with one of the most successful riders in the history of international cross-country rallying. I have known Marc for many years, and I’m sure he’ll be impressed with the championship that we have built in just two short seasons, especially as it provides great preparation for the Desert Challenge.”
Coma’s Desert Championship entry is supported by KTM Middle East Al Shafar, who will be hoping that he can help them secure a clean sweep of wins in the 2014-15 series.
KTM riders have won all five rounds to date, and KTM General Manager Michael Winter said: “We have been working with the ATCUAE for the last few months to finalise the plan to bring Marc over, and we are really excited to see how he matches up alongside our leading local riders, as the gap may be smaller than people think.”
Coma is a familiar figure in the UAE, having secured the Desert Challenge bikes crown in all but two of his appearances since he made a winning debut in the event in 2006.
