Santosh targets top 10 finish at Dakar Rally Poonia advances in National boxing
LIMA: Over the next two weeks, CS Santosh and his team’s skill and preparation will be tested by some of the toughest terrain and conditions in the world, as well as luck. It’s the Dakar Rally and as the Indian rider’s chief technology officer, Marcus Braunsperger, points out, “anything can happen” in the 9000-km rally spanning three countries – Peru, Bolivia and Argentina.
Santosh, who is riding in his fourth Dakar, is representing Hero Motosports this time. The other Indian rider in the mix -- KP Aravind -- is riding for Sherco TVS Factory Rally Team.
This is first time the gruelling rally is being held in Peru after 2013, and the sand dunes in this South American country will test the riders. The race will then enter Bolivia where the competitors will face high mountain roads. In Argentina, they will traverse through a bit of both kind of terrain. To add to the challenge, the temperature can vary from sub-zero to above 45 degree Celsius, in a day’s span. The average speed of the riders will be 100 km/h. Santosh finished 47th in the 2017 Dakar and is hoping for a better finish this time.
“For me, the priority is to finish the race. And a podium finish would be great. I am racing for the first in Peru and am excited about riding on the sand dunes,” the 34-year-old said before the start of the race on Saturday. Santosh’s best at Dakar was 36th in 2015.
Santosh’s team also has Joaquim Rodriguez, who finished 12th in 2017, and newcomer Oriol Mena. Marcus, Hero Motosports’ Chief Technology Officer, said that a lot would depend on luck.
“Preparation wise we are placed greatly. Our bike is in great shape. The riders are in great shape physically and we are expecting good finish,” he said.
“However, a lot depends on luck. There will be a stretch of more than 100 km when the riders will be without any support. The teamwork will be crucial. Reading the roadmap will also be crucial. A single wrong turn can cost you the rally. If all goes well, that is if no riders are injured and the machine stays fine, we can expect a top 10 finish.” ROHTAK: Asian Championship bronze-medallist Seema Poonia of RSPB dumped young Niharika Gonella in a lop-sided affair to advance to the next stage of the Elite Women’s National Boxing Championship here.
While Poonia defeated Gonella 5-0 after three rounds, 2004 World Championship gold medallist Aruna Mishra gave a walkover to Madhya Pradesh’s Upasana Pandey. Poonia started off the bout on an attacking note and put the burly Gonella on the backfoot.
NEEL IN U-15 BRITISH OPEN SQUASH FINAL
LONDON: India’s Neel Joshi today entered the final of the boys under-15 section in the British Junior Open Squash in Birmingham, beating second-seed Muhammadamiraminulazhar in a five-game semi-final.
The 5/8-seeded Joshi showed remarkable fighting qualities to down Azhar 13-11, 11-9, 5-11, 3-11, 11-8 for a place in the final.