Sherco TVS Rally Factory Team kickstarts Dakar 2020; ceremonial flag-off held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

The Sherco TVS Rally Factory Team began their Dakar 2020 journey with a ceremonial flag off held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Sunday. This is the sixth consecutive participation of the team in the iconic Dakar Rally. This year, the team has 4 riders – Johnny Aubert (France), Adrien Metge (France), Harith Noah (India), and Lorenzo Santolino (Spain).  Michael Metge unfortunately is not participating in the Rally due an injury.
 
1st edition of the Dakar in Saudi Arabia

The route of the first edition of the Dakar in Saudi Arabia explores the vast expanses of the largest country in the Middle East.  The Dakar 2020 will see the team traverse a distance of 7500 kilometers across 12 stages, including special stages of 5000 kilometers.  

The Rally route, comprises a substantial section of sand dunes, and will test the navigational skills, endurance and techniques of the riders. 
 
The Sherco TVS Rally Factory Team is riding on the Dakar-spec RTR 450 Rally motorcycle. 

The Sherco TVS Factory Rally Team has trained in Morocco, Spain, and France in the international race calendar. 

Stage 1, which begins on January 5, will be a 752 kilometers stretch with 319 kilometers of special stage where they will encounter dunes and stones.
 
DAKAR 2020 - ROUTE 

Stage 1: Jeddah - Al Wajh
Stage 2: Al Wajh - Neom
Stage 3: Neom - Neom
Stage 4: Neom - Al-`Ula
Stage 5: Al-`Ula - Ha'il
Stage 6: Ha'il - Riyadh
Rest Day (Riyadh)
Stage 7: Riyadh - Wadi Al Dawasir
Stage 8: Wadi Al Dawasir - Wadi Al Dawasir
Stage 9: Wadi Al Dawasir - Haradh
Stage 10: Haradh - Shubaytah
Stage 11: Shubaytah - Haradh
Stage 12: Haradh - Qiddiya

Commenting on the occasion, David Casteu, Team Manager, Sherco TVS Rally Factory Team, said, “The Sherco TVS Rally Factory Team has been extensively training for Dakar over the past year with impressive performances across International Rallies. We will surely miss Michael in the Rally as he was one of the strong contender in the race, I am happy to see Adrien joining the squad and keeping a strong camaraderie with the team. I am impressed to see Harith improve over the past one year and I wish him luck on his first Dakar outing. We are backed by an experienced technical crew who will help us maintain the RTR 450 Dakar motorcycle through the duration of the Rally. Overall, we are positive about exceeding our past performance in the 42nd Edition of Dakar."