A short prologue of only 27km opened the hostilities of the Dakar, stage that Rui Gonçalves fulfilled according to what was scheduled in a safe runway to avoid unnecessary risks.
As is tradition, the prologue served as a warmth for all Dakar competitors in a stage entirely contested on sandy floors but with a curved route and some navigation causing some difficulties to the motorcycle riders.
Rui Gonçalves fulfilled in full what he had planned with his team, adopting a safe course that allowed him to take his Sherco SEF 450 Rally to the end without problems.
The real Dakar begins tomorrow with a stage of 544km, 414km played to the timetable, and that will take place between AlUla and Al Henakiyah on pistes mostly hard floor and stone. It is an absolute debut for all competitors of the Dakar, which will serpent between volcanoes and other sites of geological interest and whose difficulties will test everyone's physical and navigational abilities.
Rui Gonçalves: "We are at AlULa where the 27km prologue mostly contested on sandy floor, with some very fast tracks and also with some sudden change of direction that obliged to a redoubled attention with the navigation.The most important thing was that I felt good and had a good “feeling” with the bike. Today's ranking left me satisfied and in a good position for tomorrow which is undoubtedly when the real Dakar Rally will start with a long run with many hours on the bike. I'm happy to be here again for another Dakar, the important thing is to keep the concentration, to give my best mile by mile and day after day. Thank you all for your support!"
Automatic translation of the original Portuguese version available
Source: Rui Gonçalves's official press release
Photos: Rally Zone
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