The 37th edition of the Dakar rally, the seventh in a South American version, starts this Sunday, with a stage between Buenos Aires and Villa Carlos Paz, which will count with the presence of 12 Portuguese among the 665 participants.
The Portuguese bet is stronger on two wheels, with the presence of the Algarve Ruben faria (KTM), which, in 2013, was ranked 2nd on motorcycles, but in 2014 fell and dropped out, Helder Rodrigues (Honda), 3rd place in 2011 and 2012, Paulo Gonçalves (Honda), world runner-up all-terrain, plus Mario Boss (Suzuki).
In cars, align Carlos Sousa, the best Portuguese ever in this category, with the 4th place conquered in 2003. Sousa, who once again competes with a Mitsubishi, this time from the brand's Brazilian team, will also have the Portuguese Paulo Fiuza as a browser.
Dakar2015 still marks the return of Ricardo Leal dos Santos (Nissan Navara V8), whose navigator is the Brazilian Eduardo Sachs.
Still in cars, Filipe Palmeiro integrates as navigator a Mini team, led by Chilean Boris Garafulic, while Victor Jesus will partner with Argentine Nazareno Lopez, in a Toyota.
On trucks, the Portuguese representatives are Jose Martins, behind the wheel of a Renault, Armando Loureiro, also in a formation of the French brand, and Pedro Velosa, which is part of an Iveco team led by Frenchman Joseph Adua.
The return of Peugeot, after 25 years of absence, and a marathon stage mark the 37th edition of the race that ends on January 17 in the Argentine capital.
Altogether, there are 414 vehicles in the competition – in the categories of cars, motorcycles and trucks – which today depart for a first stage of almost 900 kilometers, of which 170 in special.
Along a route of 9.200 kilometers (4.600 of which timed), cars and motorcycles will pass through Argentina, Chile and Bolivia.
The trucks, on the other hand, will not reach Bolivian soil, so as not to damage the Salar de Uyuni, the largest salt peninsula in the world.
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