Joaquim
Rodrigues, the star performer of the team, finished the last stage of 163 kms
between Bisha to Jeddah with yet another top-15 finish.
For
JRod, who lost his brother-in-law and mentor Paulo two years back at the Dakar,
walking back into the same event each year has been a battle with himself.
After making it to the podium of an FIM World Championship race in 2021, JRod
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. He goes
back proud from his fifth appearance at the Dakar with a 13th position in the
overall RallyGP class rankings.
Having
performed consistently throughout the Rally, Aaron Maré was not far behind,
securing 15th place in the overall
standings of the RallyGP class.
Even
though Aaron Maré joined the team as a last-minute replacement for injured
Franco Caimi, he adapted with the team and his new bike quickly, and proved to
be a great team player. His consistent and praiseworthy performance this Dakar
has earned the young rider attention from far and wide.
With
seven of the world’s top manufacturer teams battling for the top prize, Dakar
2022 was the most competitive edition ever. 12 grueling stages and over 8000
kilometers 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 JRod, 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
flies back from Jeddah, far more confident than they were at arrival two weeks
back.
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.
Wolfgang
“Waffi” Fischer, Team Manager 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 for JRod and Hero MotoSports, 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 kilometers. It was a bit unfortunate for JRod to lose over 50 mins at
the initial phase of the rally, preventing us from gaining more top positions
in the overall tally.
“With
zero technical problems and a total of eight top-10 results in the new RallyGP
class of this Dakar, we look forward to the next W2RC race in Abu Dhabi in
March, and the soonest return of our mates Basti and Franco. Thanks to the Hero
family and all our partners who contributed to our success story - to be
continued!”
Joaquim
Rodrigues, meanwhile noted,“Extremely happy to be here! 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!”
His
teammate Aaron Maré said, “I’m beyond happy, it’s a dream come true! It’s been
the longest 163 kms of my life in the last stage. It’s the end of a successful
Dakar. I took it easy today, riding smooth and avoiding any mistakes or
crashes. It’s been an overwhelming experience for me, and I’m very grateful to
Hero MotoSports Team Rally for their confidence in me, and for all the hard
work they’ve put in.”
STAGE 12 RANKINGS - RALLYGP CLASS:
1. Pablo Quintanilla Monster Energy
Honda 01h 40m 00s
2. Toby Price Red Bull KTM Factory Team + 18s
3. Jose Ignacio Cornejo Monster Energy Honda + 29s
4. Joan Barreda Bort Monster Energy Honda + 01m 13s
14. Joaquim Rodrigues Hero MotoSports Team
Rally + 07m 44s
22. Aaron Maré Hero MotoSports Team Rally + 13m 34s
Overall Standings of the Dakar
2022 - RallyGP class:
1. Sam Sunderland GasGas Factory
Racing 38h 47m 30s
2. Pablo Quintanilla Monster Energy
Honda + 03m 27s
3. Matthias Walkner Red Bull KTM Factory
Team + 06m 47s
4. Adrien van Beveren Monster Energy Yamaha + 18m 41s
13. Joaquim Rodrigues Hero MotoSports Team
Rally + 01h 15m 44s
15. Aaron Maré Hero MotoSports Team Rally + 01h 49m 00s
Overall Standings of the Dakar
2022 - All classes:
1. Sam Sunderland GasGas Factory
Racing 38h 47m 30s
2. Pablo Quintanilla Monster Energy
Honda + 03m 27s
3. Matthias Walkner Red Bull KTM Factory
Team + 06m 47s
4. Adrien van Beveren Monster Energy Yamaha + 18m 41s
14. Joaquim Rodrigues Hero MotoSports Team
Rally + 01h 15m 44s
16. Aaron Maré Hero MotoSports Team Rally + 01h 49m 00s