Following the tragic news of the passing of Portuguese rally racer Paulo Goncalves, stage seven of the 2020 Dakar Rally has been a hugely challenging and emotionally difficult day for GasGas Factory Racing and Laia Sanz, as it has the entire Dakar bivouac.

Well-known to so many within the extended Dakar family, 40-year-old Goncalves was competing in his 13th Dakar Rally. As a mark or respect event organisers ASO have cancelled tomorrow’s motorcycle stage eight.

GasGas Factory Racing wish to pass on their deepest condolences to Paulo’s family, the Hero MotoSports team and his many Dakar friends.