MERZOUGA, MOROCCO, STAGE 5

JROD WINS THE PAN AFRICA RALLY 2019.

After 6 days and 1500 kms of riding, Joaquim Rodrigues of Hero MotoSports Team Rally was crowned the winner of the Pan Africa Rally 2019. A fantastic and consistent effort over the last week, saw him cross the finish line of the final stage in Merzouga today.

CS Santosh too, will treasure this performance as he crossed the finish line today to post the best ever finish by any Indian in an international rally, a result that will make him and the entire nation proud. His 5th place finish here was an outcome of some really gritty and consistent performances across the stages.

I AM REALLY HAPPY WITH THIS WIN AT THE PAN AFRICA RALLY.”
- JOAQUIM RODRIGUES

With this strong momentum behind them, the next stop for Hero MotoSports Team Rally will be the Rally Du Maroc, which is considered to be the last training ground before the Dakar Rally. With a full strength 4 rider team, Hero MotoSports Team Rally will be looking to intensify the already high level of competition expected in the Rally Du Maroc.

I am really happy with this win at the Pan Africa Rally. The last couple of years have been difficult for me after my crash at the Dakar in 2017. My road to recovery has been long and painful and I am happy to be finally getting back to my 100%. My confidence is back and my back is really good now. Congratulations to Santosh also for doing a great job and posting his personal best. My thanks to the entire team for supporting me and giving the best possible support. This win is for Hero and Hero MotoSports Team Rally.

It’s been a really good race for me. I was consistent and getting better with every stage. You always push yourself to do better than before by racing your own limits and finishing 5th here today is very satisfying. I am quite happy with the way this season has progressed and with my training, so all we have to do now is build on it to the Dakar. Big congratulations to my buddy JRod for a fantastic win and a big thanks to the awesome team here and back home, and of course, our fans.

STAGE 5 - RESULTS

POS NAME TEAM TIMING
01Maurizio Gerini Solarys Racing Team57m 29s
02Xavier FlickTeam Casteu+03s
03Adrien MetgeTVS Sherco Factory Team+52s
04Joaquim RodriguesHero MotoSports +02m 00s
10C S SantoshHero MotoSports +03m 52s

STAGE 5 - OVERALL RESULTS

POS NAME TEAM TIMING
01Joaquim RodriguesHero MotoSports 16h 21m 43s
02Jacopo Cerutti Solarys Racing Team+11m 34s
03Sebastian BuhlerTeam Buhler+31m 29s
04Maurizio GeriniSolarys Racing Team +01h 13m 08s
05C S SantoshHero MotoSports +01h 22m 43s