Sherco TVS Factory Rally Team kickstarts Dakar 2019

Jaipur, January 07, 2019: The Sherco TVS Factory Rally Team began their Dakar 2019 journey with a ceremonial flag off held in Lima, Peru today. This is the fifth consecutive participation of the team in the iconic Dakar Rally. This year, the team boasts of 4 riders – Michael Metge (France), Adrien Metge (France), Aravind KP (India) and Lorenzo Santolino (Spain).  

 The Dakar 2019 will see the team traverse a distance of 5000 kilometers across 10 stages with special stages of 3000 kilometers.  The Rally route, unlike the previous one comprises of a substantial section of sand dunes, will test the navigational skills, endurance and techniques of the riders.  

The Sherco TVS Factory Rally Team is riding on the new Dakar-spec RTR 450 Rally motorcycle. The motorcycle boasts of an improved cooling system and an enhanced top speed of 180 kmph. The motorcycle is equipped with specially designed pistons and a new diaphragm spring clutch and higher capacity fuel tank. The Sherco TVS Factory Rally Team has trained in Morocco, Spain and France in the international race calendar.

David Casteu, Team Manager, Sherco TVS Rally Factory Team said, “The Sherco TVS Factory Rally Team has been training for Dakar extensively over the past year with impressive performances across International Rallies.  The team this year shares a great camaraderie, skills and are hungry for a top 10 finish.  Along with this winning combination, we are backed by an experienced technical crew who will help us maintain the RTR 450 Dakar motorcycle through the duration of the Rally. We have raced in Peru before, which is an added advantage. Overall, we are positive about exceeding our past performance in the 41^st Edition of Dakar.”

Stage 1, which begins on January 7^th, will be a 247 kilometers stretch with 84 kilometers of special where they will encounter soaring temperatures of the Pisco Valley.

 Dakar 2019 – Route
Stage 1: Lima – Pisco
Stage 2: Pisco – San Juan de Marcona
Stage 3: San Juan de Marcona – Arequipa
Stage 4: Arequipa – Moquegua
Stage 5: Moquegua – Arequipa

(Rest Day)
Stage 6: Arequipa – San Juan de Marcona
Stage 7: San Juan de Marcona – San Juan de Marcona
Stage 8: San Juan de Marcona – Pisco
Stage 9: Pisco – Pisco

Stage 10: Pisco – Lima