Harith Noah crashes out in the dunes: Dakar 2023
Ha’il (Saudi Arabia) 3 Jan 2023: Sherco TVS Rally Factory team’s Harith Noah, the only rider from India at Dakar 2023 had an unfortunate fall in the dunes and crashed out of this year’s Dakar here on Wednesday. He is stable and currently taking treatment in a Riyadh hospital.
For the 29-year old from Kerala, the 4th stage of the 2023 Dakar around Ha’il (425 km of special) proved disastrous as this route further confirmed that the event is extremely difficult this year. He crashed while crossing a dune after about 100 kms. After yesterday’s stormy weather, calm returned to the bivouac, however the riders were once again physically challenged and for Noah it is his first Dakar DNF. After his debut in 2020, the TVS talent became the first rider from India to finish Dakar in the top-20 in 2021 and last year he suffered engine issues with two stages remaining and could finish the Dakar only in the experience class.
“Harith Noah fell in a dune. He had to be evacuated by helicopter, he suffered a fracture of the T5. He is currently being treated at Riyadh hospital and will either have surgery to repair the vertebra or the doctors will give him a back brace. We are waiting for the latest news,” a Sherco team statement said. Despite the fracture to the vertebra, he did not suffer any neurological damage, it was reported.
Santolino 10th
Santolino turned in another fine performance today, he rode a good part of the special on his own. He finished 10th in the day’s stage, 10mn 26s from the first-place finisher, he is in 11th position in the general classification, just 30mn 37s from the leader.
“It was a difficult day, with many km in the sand, small dunes, camel grass, and bumpy areas where we were able to ride at medium to high speed. Today I had fun in the sandy areas, trying to keep a high pace, I had a few scares, but in general I had good control of my machine. I raced all day on my own, I did catch Walker at the 280 km mark, and I stayed ahead of him until the finish”.
Goncalves 11th
Rui Gonçalves fought for 11th place until 5 km from the finish where he experienced a racing event, he maintained his 24th place in the provisional classification after the first 4 stages.
The whole team is united around its riders, the bivouac has been restored after yesterday’s bad weather. This Dakar is very hard on everyone and there have already been a lot of retirements after the 4th day of racing.
Ranking for the day:
Lorenzo Santolino: P10
Rui Goncalves: P34
Harit Noah: DNF
Cumulative ranking:
Lorenzo Santolino : P11, +30mn 37s
Rui Gonçalves : P24, +2 H 07mn
Harith Noah : DNF
