Harith Noah creates history with a Stage podium in Rally2 class: Dakar 2024

Al Hofuf (Saudi Arabia) 8 January 2024: Indian Dakar hero, Harith Noah, created history becoming the first rider from India to get a stage podium in his class,the Rally2, at the prestigious Dakar Rally with a third place in the tough marathon Stage 3 on Monday. The TVS product from Kerala, finished the stage in third place conquering the 733-km long stage from Al Slamiya to Al Hofuf. In the Overall classification for bikes, he finished in P17.

He clocked 4 hours, 54 minutes and 39 seconds, about 7min 35 seconds adrift to the stage winner in Rally2.

“I feel physically normal again, and had no headaches today. The marathon stage today was supposed to be difficult navigation, especially towards the end. So I focused on it as much as I could rather than on speed. It was also very important to get the bike through today, without any crashes or problems as it’s a marathon stage with only two hours of service, post the stage. Tonight, we all will be sleeping in the tents in the middle of the desert,” said Harith Noah, after the stage.

As a reminder, just after the finish of the special, the riders, drives and crews will be able to reacquaint themselves with their light assistance teams, who will have 2 hours to work on their machines. The competitors will then head via the link route to a bivouac solely reserved for them. They will park their vehicles in a secure enclosure and will not be able to touch them before collecting them tomorrow morning for the start. Eight large 20 x 8 Khaïma tents await them. A catering service, a medical service, a podium and toilet blocks make up the facilities set up. The competitors have given the organisers a packet that they will be given back on arrival, for a first night of camping before the next one on the 48 hours against the clock stage on the evening of stage 6A.

Tomorrow, the riders will set off for the fourth stage of the Dakar, from Al Salamiya to Al-Hofuf, 631 km including 299 km of special and 332 km of liaison which will close the marathon with its 299 km of special. The terrain promises to be smoother, but navigation will once again be tricky.

Note: Last edited on 9 Jan 2024 at 09.52am