Benavides wins Merzouga Rally; Mission accomplished for Hero MotoSports

Wrapping up the sixth day of competition in the dunes of Morocco in the best possible way, Adrien Van Beveren crossed the finish line of the final stage having posted the absolute fastest time for the day. With this stage victory solidifying his third position in the overall standings, the Frenchman celebrated a career first podium result in rally competition after leading the efforts of the Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team at the seventh edition of the Merzouga Rally.

Meanwhile for the Hero Motorsports Team Rally, Joaquim Rodrigues used all his skills as a former Motocross specialist to place his Hero 450 in fifth place in the final 5th 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. His Indian team-mate 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," Rodrigues said. "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," he said.

CS Santosh commented: "The Merzouga is in the books. 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 the team´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 Hero MotoSports Team Rally.... Thanks to everyone involved and best regards to India,” he said.

Final standings after 5 stages

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