Stage report
Dakar Dakar
Dakar 2018, Stage 6: Improved showing from Santosh
Hero’s CS Santosh posted the 38th fastest time in the sixth stage of the 2018 Dakar Rally, notching up his best stage result since Sunday’s S2.
Rachit Thukral
Edited: Jan 12, 2018, 12:44 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Santosh started his fourth Dakar outing on a strong note, finishing 13th in the opening stage and remaining in contention of a top-30 result until a loosely-fitted fuel cap in stage 3 dropped him down the order
The start of the Bolivian leg of the rally has led to a return of form for the 34-year-old, who completed Friday’s 313 km special with a time of 2hr09m07s, 14m57s down on stage topper Antoine Meo (KTM).
Despite considerably improved showing, he has actually dropped one place to 52nd in the overall classifications, and trails standings leader Kevin Benavides (Honda) by 4hr52m.
Santosh remains the only Indian rider in the 2018 edition after Aravind KP crashed out of Thursday’s stage 5 and suffered ankle injuries in the accident.
“Bolivia has always been the turning point in the Dakar,” he said. “It was really cold start in the morning and a very long liaison, and then it started to raining making things worse.
“We didn’t have dust today so I knew it was my best chance to pass a few guys and I tried to make the most of the opportunity. Overall good day and I brought the bike home.”
Meanwhile, Santosh’s rookie teammate Oriol Mena put on another impressive outing, finishing 22nd in the stage to improve to 20th in the overall standings.
However, he continues to trail Sherco TVS’s sole remaining rider Joan Pedrero, who holds the 15th spot in the rankings.
Teams will get some much needed on Friday, before the second part of Dakar 2018 begins on January 13.
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Dakar 2018, Stage 6: Sainz quickest ahead of rest day
Next article Peterhansel: 2018 Dakar route reminiscent of Africa
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Rachit Thukral
Robert Kubica announces exit from AF Corse’s privateer Hypercar in WEC
WEC
WEC
Monza
3 h
Robert Kubica announces exit from AF Corse’s privateer Hypercar in WEC
WEC Monza: Cadillac wins chaotic finale, #8 Toyota seals drivers’ title
WEC
WEC
Monza
9 h
WEC Monza: Cadillac wins chaotic finale, #8 Toyota seals drivers’ title
More from
CS Santosh
Hero rider Santosh "resuscitated" by rival after Dakar crash
Dakar
Dakar
Dakar
Hero rider Santosh "resuscitated" by rival after Dakar crash
Hero confirms Santosh, Mena for Merzouga rally
Cross-Country Rally
Cross-Country Rally
Hero confirms Santosh, Mena for Merzouga rally
Dakar 2018: Santosh finishes career-best 34th, Hero beats TVS
Dakar
Dakar
Dakar
Dakar 2018: Santosh finishes career-best 34th, Hero beats TVS
More from
Hero
Price recounts ‘longest eight minutes’ aiding Goncalves
Dakar
Dakar
Dakar
Price recounts ‘longest eight minutes’ aiding Goncalves
Goncalves' team Hero withdraws from Dakar
Dakar
Dakar
Dakar
Goncalves' team Hero withdraws from Dakar
Merzouga Rally: India's Hero team scores impressive podium
Cross-Country Rally
Cross-Country Rally
Merzouga Rally
Merzouga Rally: India's Hero team scores impressive podium
Latest news
Final NASCAR Cup points standings after 2026 Homestead finale
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
51 min
Final NASCAR Cup points standings after 2026 Homestead finale
Official race results: NASCAR Cup Homestead season finale
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
1 h
Official race results: NASCAR Cup Homestead season finale
Ryan Blaney wins Homestead NASCAR Cup finale as Kyle Larson claims 2026 title
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
1 h
Ryan Blaney wins Homestead NASCAR Cup finale as Kyle Larson claims 2026 title
Winners and losers from F1's chaotic Brazilian Grand Prix
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
2 h
Winners and losers from F1's chaotic Brazilian Grand Prix
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe