Hero MotoSports Team Rally, the motorsport team of the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters—Hero MotoCorp, completed its Dakar 2022 campaign with a stellar result as both team riders crossed the final finish line in Jeddah earlier this week. Dakar 2022 will go down in history as the edition that saw an Indian manufacturer win a Stage in the world’s toughest rally for the very first time. With one stage win and one stage podium, this has been Hero MotoSports’ best-ever performance at the Dakar Rally so far. This was the team’s sixth consecutive appearance at the rally.
With seven of the world’s top manufacturer teams battling for the top prize, Dakar 2022 was the most competitive edition ever. 12 gruelling stages and over 8000 kilometres later, the Hero Rally 450 machine proved its mettle yet again with no technical failures. Even though the team rode with only one of their original riders, the presence of CS Santosh at the camp greatly boosted the team’s confidence and morale. With eight top-10 stage finishes—including a 1st and 3rd position—the team returned from Saudi Arabia, far more confident than they were at arrival two weeks back.
Team Manager Wolfgang Fischer said, “What a Dakar, after all the struggles we had a few weeks before the start! We are really proud of the performance of our riders, bikes and the team—a superb job done. The highlight was definitely the maiden Dakar stage victory, underlined with a very strong third place at the hardest and most competitive, stage 11. Our last-minute entry Aaron did a perfect job, adapting seamlessly with the team, and keeping a cool head always, he proved to be a fast learner and team player. The Dakar Rally was the most competitive ever, with seven manufacturer teams fighting for the top prize, and only 1:30 hrs dividing the top 15 after the 4000-race kilometres.”
All through 2021, the team participated in multiple races, constantly upgrading their machines, and reaching the top positions. They entered the Dakar Rally battling several last-minute hurdles—including two of their riders getting unfit for the race due to injuries. The Dakar 2022, however, turned out to be a watershed moment for the team and Hero MotoCorp, as the team overcame challenges and achieved a historic result. Joaquim Rodrigues, the star performer of the team, finished the last stage of 163 km between Bisha to Jeddah with yet another top-15 finish.
After making it to the podium of an FIM World Championship race in 2021, Rodrigues entered Dakar 2022 with great confidence. Riding stronger than ever, he delivered his best-ever performance at the Dakar—bagging his maiden stage win and also a 3rd place stage finish—which he dedicated to his mentor and brother-in-law Paulo who lost his life two years back at the very same event. He goes back from his fifth appearance at the Dakar with a 13th position in the overall RallyGP class rankings.
Joaquim Rodrigues said, “I’m really happy with my performance—it was a great Dakar for me and for the team. With the fantastic performance of the Hero Rally 450, we’re together now fighting for the top positions. My win this time is definitely the cherry on the top for me, and I can’t express how happy I am for myself and for the team to have finished yet another Dakar!”
Having performed consistently throughout the Rally, teammate Aaron Maré was not far behind, securing 15th place in the overall standings of the RallyGP class. Even though he joined the team as a last-minute replacement for injured Franco Caimi, he adapted with the team and his new bike quickly. His consistent and praiseworthy performance this Dakar has earned the young rider attention from far and wide. The team will next be seen in action at the second race of the year under the FIM World Rally Raid Championship, at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge in March 2022.
The writer is Senior editor at Carandbike.com.