Debutant Mena enters top 20
With the third stage of the Dakar Rally moving from Pisco to a very windy and dusty San Juan De Marcona in Peru, Spanish debutant rider Oriol Mena of Hero MotoSports Team Rally overcame tough navigation to clock- in a fast time and finish the stage in 13th place.
During the stage, he also stopped for a few minutes to help a fellow competitor who crashed in front of him. This may result in a time refund, which will further improve Mena’s rankings. He also broke into the top 20 in overall rankings at 20th place, pending the time refund decision.
The team’s other rider, C. S. Santosh lost time as he ran out of fuel, 30 km short of the finish, due to a loose fuel cap. As a result, he slipped in the rankings, closing the stage in 101st place and 57th overall. With nine stages pending, he will aim to make up for as much lost time as possible.
The stage, which was described as “for the hardened off- roadies”, was fought mainly off- piste with the terrain offering 63 per cent sand and more dunes. A total of 504 km was on offer with a special stage of 296 km followed by a 208 km liaison bringing the competitors to the San Juan De Marcona bivouac to rest for the night.
The rally will camp in San Juan De Marcona for the fourth stage as well, where a change in the landscape at the start is expected to provide a new challenge to the riders.
Said Mena, “This was the first really difficult stage with tough navigation. I stopped for a few minutes at 50 km to help no. 17 who got knocked out due to a crash in front of me. After that I managed to get my concentration again and made up good speed to arrive home in quick time. I am quite happy with my day and enjoying my experience out there.”
Added Santosh, “I started with a good rhythm today, then went on with the flow in the second part of the stage. I had no issues with the navigation as well. Unlucky for me, the rear tank cap was not closed properly after re- fuelling and I lost my rear tank fuel. In the process I lost over an hour’s time. It was not the best day, but I take the positive that I am still in the race and that’s what counts.”