Hero MotoSports’ riders make modest start in qualifying stage of Dakar 2022

Hero MotoSports Team Rally riders Joaquim Rodrigues and Aaron Mare finished 11th and 16th respectively in the qualifying stage (Rally GP Class) of the 44th Dakar Rally here.

Rodrigues finished three minutes and five seconds behind leader Daniel Sanders of Gas Gas Factory Team (55 minutes and 30 seconds), while Mare was six minutes and 30 seconds further back.

Participating in its sixth consecutive Dakar Rally -- arguably the toughest race on the planet -- Hero MotoSports Team Rally is represented by a two-rider team -- the experienced and in-form Rodrigues and young gun Mare, who replaced injured Franco Caimi.

Monster Energy Honda Team duo of Pablo Quintanilla and Ross Branch were second and third respectively. Hero MotoSports Team Rally started their campaign on Saturday with a 19 km long qualifying stage (earlier known as Prologue).This edition of the Dakar Rally also marks the beginning of the newly announced FIA and FIM World Rally-raid Championships for cross-country rallying.

The competitors in motorcycle category are subdivided into multiple classes. Hero MotoSports riders are participating in the premier class, named Rally GP, which comprises the top 27 riders in the championship. The other classes are Rally2, Rally3 and the Originals.