Dakar 2024: "I learned a lesson today: the Dakar can be cruel," says Lucas Moraes
Suspension breakdown knocks the Brazilian off the podium of the iconic international challenge
Lucas Moraes and Spanish navigator Armand Monleón were about to confirm their status as the sensations of the 2024 edition of the Dakar Rally on Thursday (18), when they suffered an unexpected setback: the suspension of their Toyota GR DKR Hilux broke on a quiet stretch of road, just as they were maintaining a moderate pace in order to take second place in the race. Newly formed by the Toyota Gazoo Racing team, the duo made a highly praised debut in the iconic international challenge, winning the third stage and remaining in the top three since the seventh stage on Sunday. The breakdown of a part that has a low failure rate surprised the duo and their team.
"I learned a lesson today: the Dakar can be cruel," said the Brazilian driver, very emotional, after arriving at the Dakar camp, which ends this Friday in Saudi Arabia. The emotion was justified: in addition to the natural tension of the world's greatest challenge, Moraes had to overcome a rollover that almost took him out of the race and live with the news that his four-year-old daughter had been hospitalized with meningitis - she has now recovered and is back at home with her family.
"Difficult to understand"
"It's very hard to lose a chance of a podium like that. It broke the upper suspension arm, which is the strongest and never breaks. I was going at a gentle pace, not pushing hard... it's hard to understand this failure. But it's part of the game. I'm sorry for the team too. I'm really upset, because I received so many messages, so many people from Brazil cheering me on. It's a shame... Now we have to hold our heads high and prepare to finish the Dakar in the best possible way tomorrow. We'll do our best to finish well," added Moraes, who is supported by Red Bull, Repsol, Strava, Oakley and Zapalla and whose team is sponsored by Brazilian tire brand SpeedMax.
Today's special stage was won by the French duo Guerlain Chicherit/Alex Winocq (Toyota Hilux Overdrive), but the Spanish Carlos Sainz and Carlos Sainz/Lucas Cruz (Audi RS Q e-tron E2) have taken the lead in the 11-day race. Lucas Moraes is now in ninth place. The final stage of the Dakar, this Friday, will be 175km long.
Automatic translatio of the Brazilian Portuguese version available on www.todoterreno.pt
Source: BestPR
Photo: MCH Photo/TGR
Helder
Disclaimer:
As a service to the sport we all love and follow, Rally-Raid Network posts numerous media releases from a wide variety of sources on our website. Due to the large number, and some times short time available, it is nearly impossible to review each public release. These articles are written by reporters or press officers who work for various organizers, teams, drivers, riders, and other parties, and they do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Rally-Raid Network.