“I’m so happy, my victory was icing on the cake”

Joaquim Rodriguez Jr. (champion) finished 14th, having won the third stage of Dakar

Pilot Luis Portela de Moraes, piloted by David Meger (Can-Am), was the best Portuguese in the 44th edition of the Dakar Off-Road Rally, which ended in Jeddah.

The Portuguese duo concluded the race in seventh place in the SSV class, 3 minutes 20.29 hours behind the winner and deemed “the main goal achieved”.

“The Dakar is over and our main objective has been achieved. It was a very intense week where we were always learning. We are very happy and to increase our satisfaction until we achieved an excellent result. It is very positive, no doubt, because our seventh place in the Dakar makes us the best Portuguese duo ever in SSV This is a reason for us to be proud.

On two wheels, Joaquim Rodrigues Jr. finished. (Champion) 14th place, after winning the third stage of the race.

In the end, he was “so happy” to make it to the end.

He stressed, “I am very happy with my performance, the Dakar has been great for me and the team. My victory was icing on the cake.”

Antonio Mayo (Yamaha) was 21st when he arrived in Jeddah.

“We were able to achieve the goal of finishing the race. The bike was flawless and it was an excellent race,” said the GNR captain.

Among the veterans, Mario Patrao (KTM), who placed sixth in the Original by Motole class, for unassisted riders, won.

“I am so happy! I fulfilled the long-awaited dream of participating in the Original by Motul class. I wanted to push myself to the limit and prove that, despite more injuries/adversities, my persistence, determination and will is here! It was hard, but I was Rewarding me honored my patrons, my country and my fans,” considered the pilot of Sia.

Mario Patrao noted that “there were months of preparation for the abdication processes, which were only possible” thanks to the “super-stable professional structure and family environment”.

In cars, Miguel Barbosa (Toyota), who collaborated with Pedro Velosa, considered it a “successful comeback” after 12 years of absence.

The pilot from Lisbon said: “The goal has been achieved. The Dakar was difficult. This was our fourth Dakar, we finished four and this is the most important point at the moment, as well as the experience gained in this race.”