CS Santosh confirms participation in Dakar 2016!

Gruelling, challenging and the ultimate endurance test - the 2016 Dakar Rally is on its way and it looks like India's ace rider CS Santosh is addicted to the challenge. CS Santosh is the only Indian to participate and successfully complete the daunting race, and will be returning for next year's rally which will be held from 3rd – 16th January, 2016. The 2016 Dakar starts from Buenos Aires and finishes in Rosario.

Over 150 moto riders will come under the starter’s orders on the departure ramp at Buenos Aires. CS Santosh has been allocated competition number 56 for the 2016 Dakar, and he will be racing with the Suzuki 450 Rally.

The rally will run over a total distance of over 9,000 kms, out of which over 4,500 km will mark the 13 competitive stages that will be run against the clock. Making matters even more challenging are the two marathon stages in which no outside mechanical assistance will be allowed at the end of the day. Simply put, after a taxing day of riding, the competitors will have to service and repair their bikes by themselves.

The 2016 Dakar will spend two nights above 3,200 metres (approx 11,000 feet). On the 5th competitive section, riders will have to deal with several high passes on their way to Bolivia, including a crossing at 4,600 metres (over 15,000 feet), which will be the highest point of the Dakar story in South America so far. Peru will not feature on the agenda for the 2016 Dakar, and the organizers of the rally have introduced several new sections that will pose severe navigational challenges for the riders, who are first out on the tracks ahead of the quads, cars and trucks.

Links:

- CS Santosh rider sheet

- Dakar 2016 detailed route info

- Dakar 2016 competitor list

- Dakar history