Another stage of the 2024 Dakar has been completed, the 4th, and the highlight of the day among the Portuguese was Rui Gonçalves. Gonçalves had his best performance this year so far and finished as the 8th fastest.
The Sherco Rally Factory pilot finished the day in great shape, with a 299km Special in 3h01m02s, in 8th place. The closest pilot among the national contingent was António Maio (Drag’on Rally Team/Yamaha), 22nd today, crossing the finish line more than ten minutes after Gonçalves, with Bruno Santos (Xraids Experience/Husqvarna) making it to the “podium” by being 36th in the overall standings of the day.
Mário Patrão (Crédito Agrícola mariopatrao.com/Honda) finished the day in 55th place and, at the time of writing this piece, there is still no update on the time and classification of Alexandre Azinhais (Club Aventura Touareg/KTM).
Looking at the overall standings, it is worth noting Rui Gonçalves’ 14th place, as he moved up one spot, with António Maio, Mário Patrão, and Bruno Santos maintaining their positions.
Portuguese in Stage 4:
8th Rui Gonçalves (Sherco Rally Factory) – 3h01m02s (+ 09m51s)
22nd António Maio (Drag’on Rally Team/Yamaha) – 3h15m40s (+ 24m29s)
36th Bruno Santos (Xraids Experience/Husqvarna) – 3h28m52s (+ 37m41s)
55th Mário Patrão (Crédito Agrícola mariopatrao.com/Honda) – 3h50m17s (+ 59m06s)
Stage 4 yet to be completed: Alexandre Azinhais (Club Aventura Touareg/KTM)
Portuguese in general:
14th Rui Gonçalves (Sherco Rally Factory) – 18h21m41s (+ 54m28s)
25th António Maio (Drag’on Rally Team/Yamaha) – 19h19m06s (+ 1h51m53s – 13m10s penalty)
36th Mário Patrão (Crédito Agrícola mariopatrao.com/Honda) – 20h59m25s (+ 3h32m12s)
38th Bruno Santos (Xraids Experience/Husqvarna) – 21h01m50s (+ 3h34m37s – 02m00s penalty)
Stage 4 not yet completed: Alexandre Azinhais (Club Aventura Touareg/KTM)
