A day when results don't matter - Instaforex Loprais Team grieves for Paul Goncalves

During the seventh stage of Dakar Rally 2020, the cross-country rally community was hit with tragic news as a Portuguese biker Paul Gonçalves has passed away. Following the bad news, not many crews cared about the results or overall standings after the stage.

“It’s hard to say anything on a day when we lost such a great biker like Paulo Gonçalves. We’re very sorry about it and we feel especially for his family, it’s just awful,“ said Aleš Loprais.

In today’s stage from Riyadh to Wadi Al Dawasir, Aleš Loprais, Khalid Alkendi and Petr Pokora finished in the fourth place with Praga V4S DKR. Only three factory Kamaz trucks were quicker. The Instaforex Loprais Team still holds the fourth position in the overall standings.

“It was quite a nice stage with lots of dunes. Our Praga was working well and we had a good atmosphere within the team. In some places, we were battling with Martin Macík. It was a nice and tight race and we can be happy about our good result. It’s a reward for all the hard work in the past year,” added Loprais.

The Dakar Rally 2020 continues on Monday, January 13, with a fast loop stage. It will be 477 kilometres long and the crews will start and finish in Wadi Al Dawasir.