Olhão motorbike ace Ruben Faria has become the highest-placed Portuguese Dakar Rally participant ever after finishing second overall in the race last Sunday.
“You cannot imagine how happy I am,” the 38-year-old Algarvean enthused afterwards. “It’s a dream come true!”
Faria, runner-up to KTM team principal and now five-time winner Cyril Despres, was clearly the best rider in the race. He assumed the lead early on last week and only team orders prevented him from recording a runaway success. “He has the potential to be much more than someone who rides shotgun,” Despres confirmed.
In the four-wheel category, 11-time champion Stephane Peterhansel drove his Mini to yet another victory.
