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Dakar 2024: An accident in the dunes didn't stop Lucas from completing today's Dakar stage
Brazilian solidarity in the desert: Moraes overturns and is helped by Baumgart
The main Brazilian revelation in the world of rallies, driver Lucas Moraes had a difficult time during the fifth stage of the Dakar Rally, which is being held in Saudi Arabia. He was among the fastest drivers until km 60 of the 118 that were contested on Wednesday (10), when Moraes and Spanish navigator Armand Monleón overturned on a stretch of dunes. The accident could have taken the Brazilian out of contention for the top spots in the race, but salvation came from well-known hands: driver Marcos Baumgart and navigator Klever Cincea, who compete in the same category, stopped to help put the Toyota GR DKR Hilux back on all four wheels.
"I already thanked them when we arrived at the camp, but I want to make my gratitude public for this help," said Lucas. "It has helped me to continue with the chance of a good result in this Dakar," added the Toyota Gazoo Racing team driver, who competes with the support of SpeedMax, Red Bull, Repsol, Strava, Oakley and Zapalla. In 2023, Moraes became the first Brazilian to reach the Dakar podium in the main category, which earned him a contract with the main Toyota team, the reigning champions. Last Monday, Lucas repaid the promotion by winning the third special stage of the Dakar 2024, again a first for a competitor from Brazil.
Moraes arrived at the team's camp and revealed that he felt ill during the race. "It was after I rolled over. On the way up and down the dunes, a lot of people get sick. I had to stop four times to vomit. Last year I also had this difficulty. But it's like sailors, over time you get used to it," he said.
Wednesday's special stage was won by the duo who are the current Dakar champions, Nasser Al-Attiya from Santa Catarina and Mathieu Baumel from France (Prodrive Hunter). Lucas Moraes and navigator Armand Monleón are now in tenth place in the accumulated results, with Saudi Arabian Yazeed Al-Rajhi and German Timo Gottschalk (Toyota Hilux Overdrive) as the leaders.
Automatic translation of the Brazilian Portuguese version available on www.todoterreno.pt
Source: BestPR
Photo: Red Bull Pool Content/Marcelo Maragni
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