Hero MotoSports' Rodrigues finishes ninth, CS Santosh 16th overall at Merzouga Rally

The Afriquia Merzouga Rally concluded yesterday with the final stage held near the town of Erfoud. The riders had to complete a double loop in Motocross-style before turning off the engines after 1,500 demanding kilometres through the Moroccon desert.

Joaquim Rodrigues used all his skills as a former Motocross specialist to place his Hero 450 in fifth place in Friday´s stage. The Portuguese rookie finished his very first rally in ninth position overall - a great result for a rider who has never competed in such difficult circumstances.

CS Santosh has raced in Africa before, but never the Merzouga. Santosh ended his week in the top twenty overall and the final stage in 22nd.

"Today was like a Motocross race in the dunes," said Rodrigues. "It was my first time and a lot of fun. I was a bit scared because I can´t yet read the dunes that well, but I had a decent start and then a big battle with the top guys developed. I pushed to the end and passed a guy in the last corner. Now I am really happy to finish the rally and to take my Hero bike to the end."

"The Merzouga is in the books," said Santosh. "It was a very hard week, the navigation was tough, the dunes were tough, so were the rocks and the heat. I´m happy to be here at the finish. I learnt a lot of things that will help me build towards the Dakar. Really glad to be safe and sound and to be involved in this exciting project with such great people."

"Mission accomplished," said Hero MotoSports Team Rally's managing director Wolfgang Fischer. "A new era has started for our team. It´s great both riders made it to the finish. We are very happy to have come here with the recently formed team. It was a nice race and it gives us a very good feeling. We have fun and a great spirit in the team and that is important for the future and the results. I look very positively at the experience we collected. This was just the first step. The bike is excellent and we will provide our boys with a good backing for the future. Looking forward to the things ahead. Thanks to everyone involved and best regards to India."

Final standings after 5 stages (provisional)

1. Kevin Benavides, ARG, Honda 15:05:52 hrs
2. Stefan Svitko, SVK, KTM 15:09:37
3. Adrien van Beveren, FRA, Yamaha 15:15:50
4. Gerard Farres Guell, SPA, KTM 15:22:06;
5. Helder Rodrigues, POR, Yamaha 15:22:45
9. Joaquim Rodrigues, POR, Hero 17:52:39
16. CS Santosh, IND, Hero 19:23:10