TVS Racing’s Harith Noah preparing hard for his third Dakar challenge
Sauve (France), 29 Nov 2021: TVS Racing team’s star challenger and international racing talent Harith Noah is all set to take part in the Dakar 2022 and will be the only cross-country rider to represent India in the toughest rally race event in the world, scheduled to be held in Saudi Arabia from January 1 to 14. Noah is currently training here with Michael Metge and will be leaving for Jeddah in December.
Harith Noah, who made his Dakar debut in 2020 and finished in the top-20 the following year, the highest ever for an Indian rider in the mother of all rallies, will participate in his third Dakar to be held in Saudi Arabia.
“I am in the best shape I have been physically after over 6 months of training and riding at the beach in my hometown in Kerala, India post this year’s Dakar. Since September, I have been here in Europe to focus more on roadbooks and navigation training. Two weeks ago, the team went to Morocco again as it is a good place to train with the long road books similar to the Dakar,” said the five-time National champion in Supercross.
Harith Noah, who finished his maiden Dakar in the Experience class, became the fourth rider from India to take part in Dakar, but excelled with a stunning effort in 2021 to become the first top-20 rider representing India by bettering the mark of CS Santosh of Hero Motosports that stood at 36.
“The bike is brand new and I will be riding a nimble, lighter machine that is easier to ride and much more comfortable in technical sections. Navigation is another area I am focusing on,” said the Sports Science graduate, who completed Rallye du Maroc, in October as a prep for Dakar.
“My goal is to finish. I believe that tracks in the desert are not used much by the tourists of late and hence navigation will be very difficult. But I am in a better shape mentally and physically and have identified and worked on my mistakes. I will take it stage by stage,” is the parting shot of the champion.
The details of the 44th edition of the Dakar say that the roll call would be in Jeddah, but things will only get serious in Ha’il. Riyadh, the capital, will host the rest day, following which the field will head back towards Jeddah for the finale. The Dakar this year will be part of the FIA and FIM World Rally Championships for cross-country rallying. In line with these reforms, the organisers ASO (Amaury Sport Organisation) has been designated as the promoter, consisting of five legs in the 2022 season.
The prologue will begin at Jeddah on Jan 1 with a trek to Ha’il, located at the crossroads of the historical trade routes of Saudi Arabia. A 19-km mini-special will spice up the long transfer. “Sand in all shapes and colours”, promised David Castera, the Race Director, as Saudi presents a different route with more sand than last year with over 8,000 km, and end in Jeddah. The competitive distance will be 4,300 km of specials.
