Dakar Rally mourns loss of Paulo Goncalves
Legendary Portuguese rally rider, Paulo Goncalves, has died following a crash during Stage 7 of the 2020 Dakar RallyPaulo Goncalves has died after crashing during Stage 7 of the Dakar Rally. The 40-year-old Portuguese rider fell at the 276 kilometre-mark.
Sources say that it was Toby Price who found the unconscious rider. He quickly alerted organizers, who immediately dispatched medical support. Goncalves was taken by helicopter to Layla Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The Hero MotoSports rider was competing in his 13th Dakar Rally. First attempting the race in 2006, Goncalves went on to secure four top-10 finishes, including a second behind Marc Coma in 2015. His crowning glory came in 2013 when he won the FIM Cross Country Rallies World Championship.
Goncalves spent time on various machines, including five years with the Monster Energy Honda team. He made the switch to Indian manufacturer, Hero, for 2020, seeking a new challenge.
Given the nickname Speedy, after the Looney Tunes character, Goncalves was one of the few riders to have competed in the Dakar in its three different locations.
The Hero Motorsports team released a statement describing him as a ‘true champion, gentlemen, reliable friend and a role model to everyone.’
Dakar organisers cancelled the eighth stage of the rally to allow riders and officials to honour and mourn their fallen friend.
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