Dakar Rally 2024: Harith Noah wins a historic victory at stage 8 in rally 2
Indian rider Harith Noah has made history in the 2024 Dakar Rally by winning the Stage 8 in the Rally 2 class, becoming the first Indian to secure a stage victory at Dakar. Harith, competing with TVS Sherco in the Rally 2 class, showcased a remarkable performance, finishing 11th amongst all competing motorcycles in the stage. He currently sits 13th overall and is happy to be third in his class, trailing the leader by just over eight minutes. Not to forget, Harith is participating in his fifth Dakar Rally.
This marks a significant achievement for Harith Noah, who has been consistent throughout the race. Racing for the Petronas TVS Factory Racing Team, Harith overcame challenges, including a scary crash in 2023, to become the first Indian to win a stage at Dakar. Indian-origin Harith comes from Shoranur in Kerala but was born in Germany.
In the overall standings, Kevin Benavides emerged as the winner of Stage 8 in the general motorbike category, with Hero's Ross Branch securing eighth place. Despite facing challenges, Hero MotoSports and Ross Branch are ambitious to reclaim the lead, currently standing in second place overall, with a 42-second gap behind rally leader Ricky Brabec.
The Dakar Rally, known for its fierce competition and ever-changing terrains, continues to deliver thrilling moments. With four stages remaining, including Stage 9 from Hail to Al Ula, the battle for victory gets intense.