In Dakar marathon, Indians bite dust
No assistance or guidance and having to tend to the vehicle all by yourself, the Dakar 2 0 1 9 has entered i t s toughest phase --- the Marathon stages.
Thursday was the first of the two Marathon stages --- with Friday being the second and last --- of the rally raid where the competitors are not allowed any assistance from their team and also have to mend their vehicles, if needed. Secluded, only competitors are allowed in the bivouac during these stages.
Amidst this serious test of skill, patience and pace, many more participants failed to finish the 511 km fourth stage, 351 km being the Special Stages, from Arequipa to Moquegua (two-wheelers) and Tacna (fourwheelers).
With leadership changing almost every day, it was American Ricky Brabec of Honda, who topped Stage 4 in Moto category, clocking three hours, 40 minutes and 30 seconds which also put him in the overall standings lead.
MOQUEGUA (PERU): RICKY BRABEC OF HONDA, WHO TOPPED STAGE 4 IN MOTO CATEGORY, CLOCKED 3: 40.30 SEC, WHICH PUT HIM IN THE OVERALL LEAD.
CAUTIOUS RUN
India’s CS Santosh took a cautious run considering the Marathon stage. The 35-year-old finished the stage in 51st (4:58.09) and stands 44th overall after checking into his bivouac here.
“Today I rode the whole stage in dust, trying to pass the guys in front but also be safe at the same time. It was really tricky as there was so much of feshfesh around. Besides one or two tip overs, I am happy with the stage. I am able to manage my race much better this year than last year. Things are looking good so far,” said Santosh of Hero Motosports Team Rally.
MENA IMPRESSES
His teammate Oriol Mena of Spain continued his impressive run and brought home another strong finish on the Hero 450 RR, ending 11th (3:57.46), which helped him retain his overall spot at 12th at the end of Stage 4 out of 10.
The third member of the team Joaquim Rodrigues started the stage at the back and had to be content riding cautiously for the first part of the Marathon as the dust from frontrunners made it difficult to push ahead without taking unwanted risks.
After t he neutralisation though, the more technical section kicked in, allowing him to gain places to finish the stage in 30th (4:17.20) and also enabling him to retain his overnight ranking of 31st.
The first half of the Marathon stage promised the competitors a mix of 70 per cent soft terrain, fesh-fesh and about 30 per cent of gravel and stones.
The second half (Stage 5) will get under way on Friday bringing the competitors back from Moquegua to Arequipa bivouac to reunite with their teams.
The other Indian in the fray, KP Aravind was far too slow and came in late at several waypoints, finishing Stage 4 in 78th (5:55.01) and is currently 64th overall out of the 116 left.