The third stage of Dakar 2024 has been completed, in which Rui Gonçalves was the best Portuguese. He finished 12th, on a day marked by the withdrawal of the Portuguese-German Sebastian Bühler.
Representing the official Sherco team, Gonçalves consistently stayed in the top 15 and passed the intermediate timing points with the 12th fastest time. He took 9m17s more than the winner Kevin Benavides (Red Bull KTM) to complete the 438km timed section.
António Maio (Drag’on Rally Team/Yamaha) finished second among the Portuguese, with the 32nd fastest time – which could have been ten positions better if it weren’t for a penalty of 13m10s. Shortly after, Mário Patrão (Crédito Agrícola mariopatrao.com/Honda) achieved the 36th fastest time and was the fourth in the Original by Motul category and once again the winner among the Veterans. Sixth among the rookies, Bruno Santos (Xraids Experience/Husqvarna) finished 39th in the stage, while Alexandre Azinhais brought the KTM from Club Aventura Touareg to 101st.
As we have already reported separately, the Portuguese-German Bühler had an accident at kilometer 360 of the special stage and had to retire, becoming the second national rider to have that fate after his Hero MotoSports teammate, Joaquim Rodrigues.
Looking at the overall classification, Gonçalves reached the top 15, now being 15th, 47m48s behind the leader, Ross Branch (Hero MotoSports). Maio climbed to 25th, as did Patrão to reach 36th – he is third in the Original by Motul category and leads the Veterans Trophy. On a day of gains for almost all the Portuguese who reached the finish line, Santos rose to 38th. Azinhais, on the other hand, dropped two places and is now 80th.
Portuguese in Stage 3:
12th Rui Gonçalves (Sherco Rally Factory) – 4h48m45s (+ 9m17s)
32nd António Maio (Drag’on Rally Team/Yamaha) – 5h12m57s (+ 33m29s – 13m10s penalty)
36th Mário Patrão (Crédito Agrícola mariopatrao.com/Honda) – 5h25m49s (+ 46m21s)
39th Bruno Santos (Xraids Experience/Husqvarna) – 5h33m35s (+ 54m07s)
101st Alexandre Azinhais (Club Aventura Touareg/KTM) – 7h07m56s (+ 2h28m28s)
Withdrawal: Sebastian Bühler (Hero MotoSports Team Rally)
Portuguese in general:
15th Rui Gonçalves (Sherco Rally Factory) – 15h20m39s (+ 47m48s)
25th António Maio (Drag’on Rally Team/Yamaha) – 16h03m26s (+ 1h30m35s – 13m10s penalty)
36th Mário Patrão (Crédito Agrícola mariopatrao.com/Honda) – 17h09m08s (+ 2h36m17s)
38th Bruno Santos (Xraids Experience/Husqvarna) – 17h32m58s (+ 3h00m07s – 02m00s penalty)
80th Alexandre Azinhais (Club Aventura Touareg/KTM) – 21h10m21s (+ 6h37m30s)
