This time tomorrow as sun rises in Buenos Aires capital of Argentina,South America our Bangalore boy shall complete his riders briefing then head towards Rosario 300 Kms north east from Buenos Aires with one & only agenda to be the fastest rider after completing 11 Kms super special stage to lock a good start position for 3rd Jan.
Dakar is not the toughest just because of its unforgiving terrain,duration,distance,extreme altitudes Or never ending deserts. Its the navigation, CSS has to read/understand road maps provided for every next day approx 600 Kms plus. Highlight crucial junctions,cautions,deviations & in a way remember. While he rides he has to manually turn this road book located at the cockpit attached to his handlebar which is guided by a km & compass reader beside,at times turning the road book even at speeds of 150 KPH. Attached a cockpit pic with details for your reference.
Yes it’s not just physical, its requires an undisturbed calm mind as one wrong calculation, one wrong turn could make you lose time Or the race itself.Unlike Cars & Trucks who have the luxury of a navigator Bikes & Quads got do the role of 02 men. According to me CSS is riding handicapped Vs cars & trucks yet got to fight amonst them to stay in position, however in classification its still bikes only.
Dakar this time shall have 70 KTM,22 Yamaha,16 Husqvarna,14 Honda, 5 Suzuki,3 TVS Sherco, 2 Kawasaki,2 BETA,1 BMW,1 GasGas bikes trying to prove their machines are the best.
It’s also a proud feeling to learn an Indian rider CS Santosh,Indian manufacturing TVS and Indian tyre manufacture CEAT present at this world’s toughest race on earth.
Article written by Vishwas SD
Declaration of Vishwas SD
– These updates are purely from a personal interest, all information,picture collages are manufactured by myself. Do oblige and let me know if you like them, it will only motivate me
