Dakar 2020: Hero's P. Goncalves finishes in top-15; Sherco-TVS' Noah makes strong comeback in stage 2

The second day of Dakar 2020 saw Indian racing outfits show steady progress. 

Hero MotoSports and Sherco-TVS finished the second stage of Dakar 2020 successfully, showing steady progress and without any rider retirements. Representing the Indian contingent, both the teams sit firmly in top 20, with Hero’s Paulo Goncalves finishing in 14^th overall, followed by Sherco-TVS’ riders, Adrien Metge in 16^th and Johnny Aubert in 18^th.

Indian riders CS Santosh (Hero) and debutant Harith Noah (Sherco-TVS), too, impressed with their performances today. While Santosh ranks 48^th overall, Noah is placed 65^th after the end of day 2. Noah's performance is particularly remarkable, considering that he suffered an eye injury on day 1 owing to a nasty crash. Noah was placed 111^th on day 1.

As for the other riders representing the Indian racing outfits, Sherco-TVS’ Lorenzo Santolino finished day 2 in 22^nd position overall, while Hero’s Sebastian Bühler isn’t too far as he ended the day in 25^th spot.

In the overall rankings in the two-wheel category, KTM Racing’s Sam Sunderland sits at the top, followed by Pablo Quintanilla of Rockstar Energy Husqvarna in 2^nd and Kevin Benavides of Monster Energy Honda in third.

In the car category, X-raid Mini driver Orlando Terranova is leading the proceedings after the second stage. Drivers chasing him are Carlos Sainz in a Mini buggy and last year’s winner Nasser Al-Attiyah in a Toyota Hilux. Two-time Formula 1 champion Fernando Alonso kicked off the second day of his maiden Dakar Rally in a fine manner, as he was the fourth fastest driver during the first 100km of stage 2. However, as often happens to Alonso, he was unlucky again, for he damaged the suspension of his Toyota Hilux. Owing to this, Alonso lost over two hours and has now dropped down to 48^th position from 11^th on day 1.

The second stage of the Dakar Rally took off from Al Wajh to Neom for a special stage of 367km. The course was basically a dusty, rocky terrain. In stage 3 of the Rally, riders will cover 404kms as a part of the special stage, which also includes the highest section of the Dakar 2020 at an altitude of 1,400m.

Overall ranking after stage 2 (Motorcycle category),

1. Sam Sunderland (KTM Racing)

2. Pablo Quintanilla  (Husqvarna) 

3. Kevin Benavides (Honda)

14. Paulo Goncalves (Hero MotoSports)

16. Adrien Metge (Sherco TVS)

18. Johnny Aubert (Sherco TVS)

22. Lorenzo Santolino (Sherco TVS)

25. Sebastian Bühler (Hero MotoSports)

48. CS Santosh (Hero MotoSports)

65. Harith Noah (Sherco TVS)

Overall ranking after stage 2 (Car category),

1. Orlando Terranova (X-Raid Mini)

2. Carlos Sainz Sr. (Mini buggy)

3. Nasser Al-Attiyah (Toyota)

Also read, 

Dakar 2020: Indian outfits off to a good start in Stage 1 

Alonso’s Latest Challenge: Dakar 2020