CS Santosh in 20th after Stage 1 at Afriquia Merzouga Rally on the Hero MotoSports Team Rally bike, while teammate JRod is in a strong 5th position.
Afriquia Merzouga Rally 2017, Stage 1
Joaquim Rodrigues wins the Prologue Stage
The Afriquia Merzouga Rally is an ideal rally to kick start the preparation for the Dakar Rally. The teams and riders participating consider Merzouga Rally as an ideal training ground to familiarise themselves with the roadbook, the navigation and the machine. The 2017 edition of the Merzouga Rally proves to be all this and much more as this edition is expected to be much more technical and tougher. For Hero MotoSports Team Rally, participating in their 2nd Merzouga Rally, Day 1 opened up to an exciting start with JRod winning the Prologue and securing the 1st position in the start order for the Stage 1, while ace Indian rider, CS Santosh secured the 17th position.
The Stage 1 comprised of a short 84 km stage with 41 km of special stage in addition to the 2 km Prologue and 41 km Liason section. Short but not easy, that´s what the riders had to acknowledge on the first real day of racing in the Moroccon desert. As temperatures soared, the route through the loop of Erfoud provided plenty of tricky navigation and sandy challenges. Both the riders from Hero MotoSports Team Rally, Joaquim Rodrigues and CS Santosh finished the stage 1 with strong performances.
Joaquim Rodrigues delivered a steady stage, finishing the day in 5th position. The Portuguese stayed focussed and out of trouble to end the day 1 with a strong performance by completing the stage 1 in 31 min and 45 sec.
CS Santosh, making a comeback to rally racing after a 2 months hiatus owing to an injury, had a cautious yet steady start, finishing the stage in 16th position taking 35 min 26 sec. Warming himself up to racing again, he kept his calm and remained focused throughout the stage.
Joaquim Rodrigues, Rider, 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.”
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 1 year of experience with a lot of international rallies. We had a good day today with 2 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 see the riders getting tested in the first full day of the rally with 188 kms 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 to river beds to master amidst difficult navigation.
Provisional Results Stage 1
1. De Soultrait Xavier Yamaha 27:36 min
2. Caimi Franco Yamaha +02:00 min
3. Botturi Alessandro Yamaha +03:16 min
5. Joaquim Rodrigues Hero MotoSports Team Rally +4:09 min
20. C S Santosh Hero MotoSports Team Rally +07:50 min
1. De Soultrait Xavier Yamaha 27:36 min
2. Caimi Franco Yamaha +02:00 min
3. Botturi Alessandro Yamaha +03:16 min
5. Joaquim Rodrigues Hero MotoSports Team Rally +4:09 min
20. C S Santosh Hero MotoSports Team Rally +07:50 min
Preliminary Overall standings
1. De Soultrait Xavier Yamaha 27:36 min
2. Caimi Franco Yamaha +02:00 min
3. Botturi Alessandro Yamaha +03:16 min
5. Joaquim Rodrigues Hero MotoSports Team Rally +4:09 min
20. C S Santosh Hero MotoSports Team Rally +07:50 min
1. De Soultrait Xavier Yamaha 27:36 min
2. Caimi Franco Yamaha +02:00 min
3. Botturi Alessandro Yamaha +03:16 min
5. Joaquim Rodrigues Hero MotoSports Team Rally +4:09 min
20. C S Santosh Hero MotoSports Team Rally +07:50 min
