India's Dakar Rally conqueror C S Santosh returns wiser

C S Santosh made history in January by becoming the first Indian to complete the deadly Dakar Rally and the daredevil rider expects a stronger finish in the world's toughest cross-country race to be held early next month.
The 'crazy' numbers say it all when it comes to Dakar, which has seen 61 deaths of either participants or spectators since the inaugural season in 1979.
The new odyssey begins in Buenos Aires on January 3 before passing through the treacherous terrains of Argentina and Bolivia, covering over 9000km in two weeks to end in Lionel Messi's home town of Rosario.

Though it is not a fair comparison, the toughest rally in India, the Raid de Himalaya, covers about 2000km in a week's time.
The adventurous men will have to do around 800km each day, sometimes in the company of rivals and other times they will be on their own, relying on their roadbooks to help them in the 'no man's land'.
The Bangalore-based Santosh is returning to South America a wiser man, thanks to his 'unforgettable experience' 12 months ago when he overcame an injured shoulder and a broken toe to finish 36th overall. It was a commendable effort considering he was among the 79 finishers out of 168 starters.

"What I felt for the first time is hard to put it in words. And in Dakar it is supposed to get tougher. Thanks to the hype generated last year, the preparation is better this time. I am fitter and in much better shape overall. You don't know what is coming at you in a race like this but I should be among the top 20 bikers if things don't go horribly wrong," Santosh told PTI today.

He rode his luck on a KTM 450 rally bike in January but he will be one of the five Suzuki riders this time.

"I have not tested the Suzuki bike as of now but it should be competitive. And I would like to believe that the experience of last race will come in handy. I still remember I was clueless in the initial stages. I thought it was more about navigation than going flat out. And it was only in the last three stages, I was able to make substantial ground," said Santosh, who had started the race in 85th position.
Besides feeling relieved that he didn't have to worry about the budgets this time, he is glad that he will not have to grind his way through the Chilean desert.

"We don't go Chile this year and I can't complain. It was crazy last year to ride in hot and dusty desert," said the Red Bull athlete.
The bikes, cars, quads and trucks will also have to brave two days above 11,000 metres on their way to Bolivia, including a crossing as high as 15,000 feet.