02.04.2015

COMA LEADS FOUR-WAY KTM PODIUM AT ABU DHABI DESERT CHALLENGE

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Marc Coma on his way to victory in Abu Dhabi (VAE)

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Red Bull KTM factory rider Marc Coma of Spain sealed an early victory in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge on Thursday after organizers cancelled the final scheduled stage. A sandstorm had made support for the riders impossible. Coma's win also lays the foundation stone for his bid to secure his seventh World Championship title.

Marc Coma wrapped up the win thanks to his 11:55 minutes lead at the end of Wednesday’s Stage 4. It was his eighth win at this event, making him the KTM rider with the most Desert Challenge victories. KTM riders have won the event every year except three since motorcycles were introduced into the program in 1995.

Coma: "Today they have to suspend the stage because of the weather. This mean't that we returned to Abu Dhabi on the road. The truth is that the conditions were bad. I am happy and proud to have achieved this eighth victory in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. It was very important to continue in this way, especially after the win in the Dakar. We have picked up a lot of points for the World Championship and now it's time to rest and think about the next round in Qatar."

The rally, the opening round of the 2015 FIM Cross Country Rallies World Championship saw the top four places go to KTM riders. Coma’s teammate Sam Sunderland, the British rider who is based in the UAE was second, KTM support rider Pablo Quintanilla of Chile completed the podium and KTM factory rider 
Ruben Faria of Portugal was fourth. Eight of the top ten were on KTM with Mohammed Al Balooshi (KTM UAE) sixth, Juan Salvatierra (BOL) seventh, Australian Matt Hart eighth and British rider David McBride tenth. KTM factory riders compete on the KTM 450 RALLY

Austria’s Matthias Walkner, the latest signing to the KTM factory team and one who also delivered an impressive first Dakar Rally in January showed his potential by taking the Stage 4 victory. He came in third in Monday’s stage to be fourth overall but then encountered a technical difficulty on Tuesday that put him out of contention. His stage win on Thursday underlined that he is a future podium contender.

Next Round: April, 19-24, 2015 – Sealine Rally Qatar (2015 FIM Cross Country Rallies World Championship Rd. 2)

Final Standings Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2015 after 4 of 5 stages (stage 5 cancelled due to sand storm)
1.
Marc Coma (ESP), KTM, 14:49:05 h
2. Sam Sunderland (GBR), KTM, +11:55 min
3.
Pablo Quintanilla (CHI), KTM, +20:16

4. Ruben Faria (POR), KTM, +28:01
5. Ricky Brabec (USA), Honda, +34:17

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