One for the books: Hero MotoSports’ Dakar 2022 journey in pictures

Simran Rastogi Updated: January 24, 2022, 12:52 PM IST

For the Hero MotoSports Team Rally, there's been no better finish to a Dakar than at its sixth consecutive outing. The team has become the first Indian team to score a win and a podium finish in a Dakar. That a relatively new team is fighting for top finishes is telling of the capabilities of the team, riders and everyone involved. This especially considering the Hero 450 Rally had zero mechanical issues, proving to be as fast and reliable as the top-runners at Dakar 2022. Follow the team's journey from the start of the third Dakar at Saudi Arabia to the finish.

Joaquim 'JRod' Rodrigues (left) is the seasoned team rider, joined by Aaron Mar (right) last minute replacement for Franco Caimi, with third rider Sebastian Buhler also out of action due to injury

Stage 1B saw Mar finish strong in 11th, with JRod in 22nd after navigational issues

JRod fights back! Completes Stage 2 in 6th, further going on to win Stage 3 outright, writing history in the process

Strong halfway positions for the team by Stage 6, with both riders in the top 20. Mar in 15th, JRod in 17th

By the close of Stage 8, the overall positions are reversed with JRod in 15th, and Mar in 15th thanks to strong performances all around

Stage 10, and the day teammate Paulo 'Speedy' Goncalves lost his life at Dakar 2020, was tough on the team and JRod especially - Mar finished the stage in 11th, while JRod's 12th finish was marred by penalties moving him down to 31st