Pisco (Peru), Jan 8 (IANS): Seasoned Indian rider KP Aravind completed the first stage at Dakar 2019 at a lowly 70th position while his Sherco TVS Rally Factory teammates completed the stage of 247 km of racing and 84 km special in a much better position.

On Monday, Michael Metge managed a good finish at the 12th position while Adrien Metge and Lorenzo Santolino finished the stage at the 24th and 25th positions respectively.

The race becomes intense later on Tuesday as the team rides from Pisco to San Juan de Marcona after riding 342 km of special in stage 2.

After successfully completing the stage, Aravind KP said: "It was difficult to read the course on the first part of the stage. But I felt much better on the second part. A good day for me and I hope to learn and improve every day all the way to the finish line"

Michael, who finished ahead of his teammates said: "A difficult first stage, it took a bit of time to adapt to the bike, but little by little I felt better and better and I have confidence for the future."

Happy with his TVS RTR 450 bike, Metge said: "I am very happy with the bike, it is working well, I managed to catch up with the riders in front of me, this race is long."