Hero’s Joaquim Rodrigues Finishes 5th In Merzouga Rally Stage 1

Joaquim Rodrigues of Hero MotoSports Team Rally has secured fifth position in the first stage of the Merzouga Rally. Rodrigues completed the stage in 34min 04sec. His Indian team-mate, CS Santosh, making a comeback to rally racing after a two-month hiatus owing to an injury, finished the first stage at 16th position, taking 38min 19sec. Stage 1 of the Merzouga Rally is 84km long with a 2km Prologue stage, 41km liason section and another 41km of special stage. Rodriguez finished the Prologue stage at first position. 

Though stage 1 was short, it was not easy. As temperatures soared, the route through the loop of Erfoud provided plenty of tricky navigation and sandy challenges. However, both the riders finished the stage with strong performances. Joaquim Rodrigues, Hero MotoSports Team Rally said, "Today we had a really good start to the rally. We won the prologue, which was my first stage win at the Merzouga Rally, so it was a really good feeling. In the first special stage, I started first and opened the tracks and lost some time to the guys coming behind of course. In the end, we got to a good position for the next stage. Tomorrow we go to the desert and the dunes, so I hope I can keep up the way things are going now and reach to the last day in a good position."

Commenting on the performance, C S Santosh, rider, Hero MotoSports Team Rally said, “It’s been exactly one year with Hero MotoSports Team Rally since my first race at Merzouga and here we are again. But things are a lot different now because I have had one year of experience with a lot of international rallies. We had a good day today with two stages – prologue and the first special of 41 km. I had a small tip over in the prologue and finished 17th. Started the first stage then and looking at a top 20 finish, which is a good start. I feel it is going to be a tough rally but the feeling is really good with the bike and I am also better prepared than last year. I am really looking forward to see how the next five days are going to play out.”

Stage two will challenge the riders’ abilities in the first full day of the rally with 188km of special stage and 53 km of liason. The Erg Chebbi region of Merzouga is expected to pose tough challenge to the competitors with sand dunes and river beds to be mastered amidst difficult navigation.

Meanwhile, Sherco TVS has also performed commendably with Juan Pedrero and Adrien Metge finishing 7th and 11th respectively. Indian teammate Aravind KP took the 20th place while Abdul Wahid Tanveer finished 84th.

Results: General Classifications SS1 Bike/Quad:

1- De Soultrait Xavier-- Yamaha- 00:29:56

2- Caimi Franco-- Yamaha- 00:32:05 Difference- 00:02:09

3- Botturi Alessandro-- Yamaha- 00:33:16 Difference- 00:03:20

4- Farres Guell Gerard-- KTM- 00:33:52 Difference- 00:03:56

5- Joaquim Rodrigues-- Hero- 00:34:04 Difference- 00:04:08

7- Juan Garcia Pedrero-- Sherco TVS- 00:35:30 Difference- 00:05:34

11- Adrien Metge-- Sherco TVS- 00:35:55 Difference- 00:05:59

16- CS Santosh-- Hero- 00:38:19 Difference- 00:08:23

20- Aravind KP-- Sherco TVS- 00:41:19  Difference- 00:11:23

84- Abdul Wahid Tanveer-- Sherco- 01:19:18 Difference- 00:49:22

Also read: Exclusive: Sherco TVS 2017 Dakar Bike Ridden