Paulo Gonçalves (Honda) was penalized today in 15 minutes for changing the engine on his motorcycle, practically leaving him out of the fight for victory in the 2015 Dakar Rally.
The organization of the off-road race confirmed to the EFE agency that the Spaniard Joan Barreda, the Portuguese's teammate, gave him his engine last night, during the marathon stage, after arriving in Cachi, and that the Chilean Jeremias Israel gave his motorcycle to the Valencian.
With this penalty, Paulo Gonçalves, who had even finished the 11th stage in 2nd place, 17 seconds from Barreda, and who had placed himself just over five minutes from Marc Coma (KTM), leader of the race, is now 20min12seconds away Catalan, who thus takes another step towards his fifth triumph in the Dakar, the second in a row.
Joan Barreda Bort, who had won the stage, was also penalized, in his case by 45 minutes, for having changed his engine for the second time. Honda explains these changes as collateral damage from the end of the first marathon stage, caused by rain and saltpeter at the Salar de Uyuni.
In today's stage, between Salta and Termas de Rio Hondo, in Argentina, Marc Coma did not go beyond the 6th place, but the penalty given by Paulo Gonçalves allowed him to reinforce the command, with two days to go. The Portuguese maintains 2nd place overall, ahead of Australian Toby Price (KTM), whose delay to Coma is 31 minutes.
As for the Algarvian Ruben Faria, from KTM, was today ranked 4th, moving up one position in General, to 6th, while Hélder Rodrigues (Honda) was 8th and maintains 12th place in the general classification.
«Today I had a very positive day again. The type of floor on this return to Argentina is more to my liking and I didn't feel so much physical difficulties. Chile left me very battered, but since yesterday I've been feeling fine and the pulse – yes, it's been the pulse which I'm most concerned about and not the collarbone – has given a break and has always helped to get a good rhythm. I'm 6th again and ready to attack these last two days until Buenos Aires», commented Ruben on his Facebook page.
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