Meet The Indian Contingent At Dakar 2020

We are just days away from the start of the Dakar Rally 2020 which shifts base from South America to something closer to home, Saudi Arabia. The 42nd edition of the Dakar will see over 350 participants. Amongst them are two Indian teams -- Hero MotoSports Rally and Sherco-TVS Racing -- with an Indian pilot in each camp. Here are the pilots of the two teams:

C S Santosh (IND) - Hero MotoSports Rally Team
The man who put Indian pilots on the Dakar map, Santosh is gearing up for his sixth attempt at the gruelling rally, his fourth with Hero. Santosh was running strongly in the 2019 rally until he got caught out in a tricky situation and was forced to retire. He has been improving himself throughout the year, ending the last rally, the Rally du Maroc, in an extremely commendable 24th position. This will give the Fast Indian enough impetus to perform better at the 2020 Dakar, perhaps even better his best-ever finish of 34th position at the 2018 rally.

Harith Noah (IND) - Sherco-TVS Racing
Multiple-time national supercross and rally champion, Harith Noah has been promoted within the TVS ranks so that he can take part in the ultimate test, the Dakar. Harith’s international rallying debut could have gone better than what he envisaged. What seemed to be hardly more than a sprain on his left knee turned out to be rupturing of his ACL. He has had his fair share of injuries but the rookie Indian rider is gunning to get to the finish line in Qiddiya. If he manages to finish the Dakar, it will make him the third Indian rider to do so after Santosh and his injured teammate, Aravind K P, who has been forced to sit out of this year’s rally.

Michael Metge (FRA) - Sherco-TVS Racing
The winner of the 2019 Baja Aragon rally, Michael Metge is the team leader at the Indo-French racing team. Metge has been a factory rider for Yamaha and Honda, performing brilliantly in his seven attempts so far. The Frenchman joined the Sherco-TVS Racing team last year, ending the Dakar 2019 in 27th position, picking up a stage victory in the process. This time around, Metge will be aiming to break into the top 15 with Sherco.

Paulo Goncalves (POR) - Hero MotoSports Rally Team
Hero pulled off a masterstroke when it signed up factory HRC rider Paulo Goncalves to lead the team. He was the runner-up in the 2015 Dakar, finishing behind the legendary Marc Coma. Goncalves brings a lot of experience to the young Indian outfit. Expect him to be amongst the top 10 at the Dakar Rally astride the Hero 450 Rally.

Lorenzo Santolino (SPA) - Sherco-TVS Racing
On course to be the best rookie of the rally, Lorenzo Santolino’s Dakar 2019 dreams were dashed as he was forced to retire on stage six. He was injured for the better part of 2019, recovering from the nasty injury suffered in Peru. His recovery process has been solid. Expect this quick Spaniard to be on pace once again in Saudi.

Joaquim Rodrigues (POR) - Hero MotoSports Rally Team
One of the funniest characters in the paddock, Joaquim Rodrigues is one of the fastest riders out there. His unfortunate crash in Dakar 2018 was career-threatening as he was out of action for nearly six months. His recovery has been slow and steady but JRod helped achieve Hero’s first rally victory on the international stage at the 2019 PanAfrica Rally.

Johnny Aubert (FRA) - Sherco-TVS Racing
At the startline in Jeddah, Johnny Aubert will be beginning his third crack at the Dakar Rally at the age of 39. His last attempt came in 2018 when he rode a GasGas to sixth spot. Aubert’s outing with the team at the Rally of Morocco was promising, as he finished 14th.

Suggested Reads:

• Aravind KP Recovers on the Sidelines as 2020 Dakar Rally Approaches
• TVS Racing’s Harith Noah Ready For Dakar Rally Debut
• Sherco-TVS Racing Announces Team For 2020 Dakar Rally
• Hero Signs Star HRC Factory Rider Paulo Goncalves