Three times world Champion, and two times Dakar winner, Marc Coma foresees a very difficult Sertões

The 18th Sertões International Rally, which takes place between August 10 and 21, starting in Goiânia (GO), and finishing in Fortaleza (CE) is part of the Cross-Country Rally World Championship of the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM). And it is not only that, it is also the planet’s second largest off-road race. And those attractions have once again brought to Brazil the rider Marc Coma, three times world Champion (2005/06/07), and two times winner of the legendary Dakar Rally (2006/09).

The Spaniard, who will compete for team RED BULL / BREMA & MENICHETTI AMV, with the support of Off Rush, will try to complete the adventurous 4486 km from Goiânia (GO) to Fortaleza (CE) on a KTM bike. Those will be 10 sunny, dusty days with beautiful landscapes through six Brazilian states - Goiás, Minas Gerais, Tocantins, Maranhão, Piauí and Ceará - four of the five regions that divide Brazil - Midwest, Southeast, North and Northeast.

The route this year will be characterized by 95% of unprecedented roads, and will have 52.7% of special tests, a record in the history of the Rally. The three times Cross Country Rally World Champion, tells his main goals while competing in the Brazilian race for the third time.

"My goal is to try to win the race. It would be a special achievement for my resume and, furthermore, victory is important for the World Championship results. I also think about preparing and adding mileage for next year Dakar Rally." said Coma.

Placed fourth in the 2010 edition of Dakar, the Spanish says Sertões Rally is a stressful race, for the rider and the equipment. "I have competed in the Sertões a few times. It is long and very hard race," completed the 34 year old rider.

Coma’s task, however, will not be an easy one, and will start next Tuesday, August 10. In addition to other foreign riders who are highly respected in the current international scenario, as the Frenchman David Casteu (Sherco 450SP), the Spaniard will face a number of Brazilians also able to achieve victory in the 18th edition of Sertões International Rally. One of them is Zé Hélio (BMW 450), who won the race five times.

The perfect preparation for the Dakar
In recent years, beyond any challenge posed to the contestants, Sertões has proven a perfect race as preparation for the legendary Dakar. The French Giniel de Villiers and Spaniard Carlos Sainz won the race in Brazil in 2008 and 2009 in the car category. It was not by chance that they were also the champions of the following issues of the biggest - and hardest - Rally of the planet.