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Dakar 2024: Difficult 9th stage for António Maio
Yamaha rider with mechanical setback that he managed to overcome
António Maio faced difficulties today in the ninth stage of the 2024 Dakar Rally and saw the excellent progress he has been showing conditioned, this time by a mechanical setback he had due to hitting a rock that damaged the gasoline tube in the front tank of the Yamaha racing bike.
It was a difficult day for the Yamaha rider, who completed the 639 km stage between Hail and Alula, which included a 417 km selective route, but the difficulties were overcome and António Maio finished the special in 5h29m18s.
As a result, António Maio lost one place in the overall standings. The GNR major is now 18th, just behind Pablo Quintanilla, who has a lead of just nine minutes.
"I've completed another stage. Today was difficult, but I got to the end. I had a problem with a tank tube on the front of the bike that was leaking gas and getting to the first refueling was lucky. I still tried to find a solution, but it was complicated. So I filled up the bike and kept rolling and managing the pace to get to the end. The stage didn't go smoothly, but I managed to finish, which gives me encouragement to carry on. I'm in pretty good shape physically and now I need to resolve this situation so that tomorrow I can start another stage of this Dakar, which is almost over," said António Maio at the end of the stage in which he was 29th.
Tomorrow will see the tenth stage of the 2024 Dakar Rally. The circular stage around the huge rocks of the Al Ula region will be challenging. A total of 612 km will be covered, of which 371 km will be timed. An obstacle course will give the more experienced drivers the opportunity to use their opponents' mistakes to their advantage.
Automatic translation of the Portuguese version available on www.todoterreno.pt
Source: Antonio Maio's official press release
Helder