Honda's Paulo Gon̤alves finished behind team-mate Joan Barreda on the fourth stage of the 2016 Dakar Rally held overnight but was eleveated to the stage win and also took over the race lead after Barreda was penalised.
Barreda for the second straight stage again caught speeding and penalised. The Portuguese rider also moved to the top spot in the classification.
Barreda's failure to learn from yesterday's mistake ruined what was otherwise an awe-inspiring ride. The official Honda rider seized the lead at CP1 and racked up one fastest time after the other.
Gon̤alves, was the only one who managed to keep up with the winner taking the days spoils.
"It was my first marathon stage with a fast opening day." Goncalves said. "I rode near Benavides before the refuelling stop, but I then made a slight mistake inside the controlled speed area and I lost some time.
"I attacked to close the gap and, in the end, I wasn't that far behind. It was a good day, bringing the bike home in one piece was crucial. I'm happy for me and Honda."
The 5-minute penalty for Barreda pushed him to third on the stage behind Husqvarna's Rubin Faria to third position overall, behind Argentina's Honda racer Benavides.
Australia's Toby Price riding for the Factory Red Bull KTM team finished the stage in 5th position, just over four minutes behind Goncalves and in doing so elevated himself up to seventh in the overall classification,, 7 minutes and 56 seconds behind the race leader.
With stages four and five acting as one big marathon stage, riders will have to work on their own bikes overnight before starting stage five that will take riders from Jujuy - Uyuni in Argentina
Stage 4 Results
1. GONCALVES (PRT) - 04:07:19
2. FARIA (PRT) +00:02:35
3. BENAVIDES (ARG) +00:02:37
4. BARREDA BORT (ESP) +00:03:11
5. PRICE (AUS) +00:04:01
6. MEO (FRA) +00:04:15
7. METGE (FRA) +00:05:20
8. FARRES GUELL (ESP) +00:05:23
9. BRABEC (USA) +00:05:29
10. QUINTANILLA (CHL) +00:05:52
Overall Results After Stage Four:
1. GONCALVES (PRT) - 10:35:17
2. BENAVIDES (ARG) +00:02:17
3. BARREDA +00:03:03
4. SVITKO (SVK) +00:05:22
5. FARIA (PRT) +00:05:24
6. WALKNER (AUT) +00:07:08
7. PRICE (AUS) +00:07:56
8. QUINTANILLA (CHL) +00:08:22
9. MEO (FRA) +00:10:55
10. DUCLOS (FRA) +00:11:11
Top Image: Paulo Goncalves is the new leader of the 2016 Dakar Rally
Credit: Honda
