Interview with Marc Coma
What do you think about the Dakar 2004 route? Do you think that it is going to be as hard as they say? Is this route going to be an advantage for you or not at all? There is a first part of the route we already know quite well because its almost always the same, but then there is a second part where this race is going to get back to its origins, the authentic Dakar. At least, this year the stages are long, because we were getting used to quite short stages, where less technical or less prepared riders were able to be in the front. Our planning and preparation for the race adapts perfectly well to this years route, with long stages. There are two days with stages of 700 kilometres; its going to be difficult to find a rhythm, not to be too hard on the mechanical parts and especially save the tyres.   Youll finally be racing on the single-cylinder KTM. What made you take the decision and leave last years twin-cylinder aside? What are the main features of the bike youve chosen and what would you improve? On the paper, this Dakars route is an advantage for single-cylinders compared to twin-cylinders, because it seems to be a slower route than last year. With the latest evolution of the single-cylinder, the differences with the twins have been reduced, and it has several points in favour with regard to such a complicated rally. The biggest difference between them is the top speed of the twin but given the fast wear of the rear tyre you cannot make use of the whole power of the bike, so you end up using the same speed on both of them. The single-cylinder is obviously much lighter – 50 kg less -, and that is very important for a race like this, because riding this bike is much less demanding. It has also a good chassis that has been developed a lot, allowing you to be very fast on difficult technical areas. What would I improve? Well, maybe a bit more top speed…  Are there team orders already established before the start of the race? And if not, will there be later on? What we all know for sure is that we are a team and that we are working for one and the same objective: getting the victory. I think that the way to get it is working together, as a team, and not individually. The teams tactics are going to vary as the race moves on, because there is no use in preparing a tactic and see how a single stage can turn everything upside down. With regard to your second question, yes, there might be team orders and they probably will arrive, when the time has come to give them. If one of us has good options and the other two are far behind, there will be a lot of teamwork in order to help the better placed rider to get the victory.  This is going to be your third Dakar. After your previous experiences, what do you think is the secret to fight for the victory this year? I think that this Dakar is going to be divided into two parts: long stages and marathon. The change from Morocco to Mauritania, stage seven, is a 701 km special, followed by another 355 km special on the following day, marathon, which will be then followed by another 736 km special without any kind of assistance. That is going to be one of the most difficult parts of this rally and I think that it is going to be the point where a lot of participants will have to give up. Making these three specials with the leading group is going to be very important in order to be able to fight for the victory, although there rally wont have finished yet…  Who do you consider as the main rivals this year in the fight for the victory? Apart from my team-mates, Nani Roma and Isidre Esteve, I think that the main rivals are going to be Richard Sainct, winner of the last Dakar, Fabricio Meoni, who has also won the rally some times and Cyril Després, reigning champion of the World Cup. There are other riders who may give a surprise but, in principle, I think that these are the favourites.  From the sporting point of view and considering the results, how do you reach the Dakar? How would you define your results of the 2003 season with regard to the preparation of the Dakar 2004? I finished last years Dakar injured, with a fracture in my wrist, so I spent almost half of 2003 recovering from that injury. Ive participated in some rallies since August, weve been to Egypt and Morocco and weve focused on preparing this race consciously. Now Im ready to face this Dakar and Im physically totally recovered.  How do you think does the fact of having Jordi Arcarons as Sports Manager affect the team? We noticed his arrival from the first day; were not yet at the rally and Jordi has already a very important role in the team. Hes got a lot of experience and hes provided us with a lot of things in every aspect: planning the race, how to prepare ourselves, navigation, tricks, secrets… His experience and knowledge of the stages will be of great help during the race. We have also a great relationship with Jordi; were all coming from Enduro and knew each other for several years.  Which has been your best moment at the Paris-Dakar? And the worst? My best moment was with no doubt finishing last years Dakar, even if I arrived with a broken wrist and eleventh. It was an incredible satisfaction. The worst? With no doubt the injury and the recovery. The first days after turning back to Spain were good because I was euphoric after the result, but then, things became quite difficult when the daily life began and I had to start with the rehab.  What impressed you most of Africa and the Dakar the first time you went there? What I remember most was the arrival in Africa, in my first participation, two years ago. We arrived in Tangier on New Years Eve and the people there received the Dakar caravan with music and dancing. It was a shock. I was used to spending these days with my family and I suddenly found myself there without having hardly prepared the race.  Is the Dakar mentally or physically harder? Both aspects are very hard. Its physically very hard because its like a constant thrashing, but its mentally very demanding as well. You have to be constantly concentrated on navigation, on what you see and analyse everything. You cannot afford a single mistake, because the first might be the last one. When we prepare this race, we include working sessions with a sports psychologist to work on the mental aspect and improve it.