Harith Noah overcomes tough terrain and painful shoulder to finish Overall 28th
Riyadh, January 7, 2022: Brave display by TVSRacing Factory rider and 5-time Indian National champion Harith Noah saw him overcame a dangerous terrain and a painful shoulder to tread successfully at the half-way stage of the 44th Dakar Rally, for a creditable overall ranking of 28th position on Friday.
The lone rider representing India, managed to reign in sands of the world’s toughest cross-country rally finishing 35th in the 702-km Stage 6 on Friday. Daniel Sanders won the stage today and Sam Sunderland is leading the Overall ranking after six stages.
Many experienced riders had a tough time towards the later part of Stage 5 before a section was cancelled on Thursday, after it saw many crashes. On Friday, the stage was run in the reverse direction and it appeared to be worse with many parts of the route turning treacherous. The promoters then had to call it off and reduce the stage distance after 101-km point. Thus the 28-year Kerala star, despite the tricky terrain finished 35th in the stage today, and with many other falling behind he improved his Overall general ranking to 28th place from the 31st rank on Thursday.
The only rider representing India in 2022 Dakar Rally, Noah, is determined to use Saturday to give some rest to his injured shoulder. “The terrain was demanding and dangerous at certain places and with my shoulder pain becoming worse, it is a big relief that I successfully completed the stage. I should be back to normal after the rest day tomorrow and looking forward to give my best,” said the Sherco TVS Factory team rider, who became the fastest at Dakar in 2021.
The bike and quad special has been halted at the first neutralisation area after 101 km. The deterioration of the tracks due to the passage of the cars and trucks yesterday, combined with recent heavy rain means that the route is impassable. The classification for stage 6 was established at the 101 km mark.
Noah’s teammate at Sherco TVS Factory team Lorenzo Santolino is in Overall 6th position after Stage 6 while Rui Goncalves is placed 32ndnd. Hero MotoSports Rally Team’s Joaquim Rodriques is placed Overall 18th in the General Ranking with Hero compatriot South African Aran Mare slipped to 16thth.
Dakar Rally 2022 (Stage 5) Provisional Classification:
1. #4 Daniel Sanders (Austria) (Gas Gas Factory Racing).51’ 43”;
2. #3 Sam Suntherland (Great Britain) (Gas Gas Factory Racing); 54’09”;02’26”.
3. #52 Mathias Walkner (Austria) (Red Bull KTM Factory Team); 54’19” +02’36”.
35. Harith Noah (Sherco TVS Rally Team) 1H02’02” +10’19”;
Overall Provisional Classification (after stage 6)
1. #3 Sam Suntherland (Great Britain) (Gas Gas Factory Racing); 19H55’59”.
2. #52 Mathias Walkner (Austria) (Red Bull KTM Factory Team); 19H58’38”. +02’39”.
3. #4 Daniel Sanders (Austria) (Gas Gas Factory Racing). 20H01’34”; +05’35”.
28. Harith Noah (Sherco TVS Rally Team) 21H, 47’ 07”. +1H 51’08”.
