India’s leading rally-raid rider, Harith Noah, is poised for his seventh campaign at the world’s toughest motorsport challenge, the Dakar Rally. The 32-year-old from Kerala will once again carry the nation’s hopes at the 48th edition in Saudi Arabia, a grueling 15-day event running from January 3 to 17.
For Noah, Dakar transcends sport; it is a profound test of faith, patience, and resilience. His journey—from Indian motocross circuits to the vast Arabian desert—has been shaped by quiet resolve and a steadfast belief that an Indian rider can compete and inspire on the global stage.
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The rally begins with a short prologue in Yanbu on January 3, determining the start order for the punishing two weeks ahead. Competitors will tackle a route spanning nearly 8,000 kilometers, including about 4,800 kilometers of high-speed timed sections across treacherous dunes, rocky terrain, and relentless plateaus, with a single rest day in Riyadh on January 10.
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A five-time Indian National Supercross Champion, Noah transitioned fully to rally-raid preparation in 2019 after his last national title in 2018. He made his Dakar debut in 2020 and now lines up for his seventh start aboard the TVS Sherco RTR 450. His career highlights include a landmark Rally 2 class victory at Dakar—the first-ever by an Indian rider—a milestone that inspired a generation.
However, Dakar is relentlessly unforgiving. In 2025, a crash during the prologue forced Noah out before the first stage. Reflecting on the setback, the Sports Science graduate from Manchester Metropolitan University displays remarkable perspective: “Mistakes will happen. It’s about how you deal with them… Going forward, my focus is always on giving my best rather than chasing results.”
Sharpened by three world rally-raid championship events in 2025, Noah arrives in 2026 with enhanced fitness, sharper navigation, and hardened race craft. As he embarks on this latest desert odyssey, his story remains one of enduring spirit—a testament to learning from adversity and representing India with unwavering pride on motorsport’s most brutal stage.
