Rui Gonçalves had his best performance so far in 2024 in Stage 8 of the Dakar: the Portuguese finished sixth and was only 2m24s behind the winner of the day.
Gonçalves (Sherco Rally Factory) took 3h37m27s to complete the 678 km (with 458 Special) and was by far the best national representative in action today. António Maio (Drag’on Rally Team/Yamaha) finished 22nd overall today, with almost 20 minutes difference from Gonçalves.
Closing the podium was Bruno Santos (XRaids Experience/Husqvarna), who crossed the finish line in 23rd, 25m07s behind the winner, Kevin Benavides.
Mário Patrão (Crédito Agrícola mariopatrao.com/Honda) finished 36th, while there is no data regarding the final position of Alexandre Azinhais (Club Aventura Touareg/KTM).
Portuguese in Stage 8:
6th Rui Gonçalves (Sherco Rally Factory): 3h37m27s (+ 2m24s)
22nd António Maio (Drag’on Rally Team/Yamaha): 3h57m09s (+ 22m06s)
23rd Bruno Santos (XRaids Experience/Husqvarna): 4h00m10s (+ 25m07s)
36th Mário Patrão (Crédito Agrícola mariopatrao.com/Honda): 4h22m27s (+ 47m24s)
*Alexandre Azinhais (Club Aventura Touareg/KTM)
Portuguese overall:
17th António Maio (Drag’on Rally Team/Yamaha): 40h26m31s (+ 4h10m00s – 28m20s penalty)
26th Rui Gonçalves (Sherco Rally Factory): 42h33m14s (+ 6h16m43s – 15m00s penalty)
29th Mário Patrão (Crédito Agrícola mariopatrao.com/Honda): 43h24m29s (+ 7h07m58s – 32m00s penalty)
30th Bruno Santos (XRaids Experience/Husqvarna): 43h30m35s (+ 7h14m04s – 40m00s penalty)
*Alexandre Azinhais (Club Aventura Touareg/KTM) may not have completed the Stage at the time of writing this piece
