Xavier de Soultrait was the winner of the Dakar 2024 in SSV. In the category that was more open until the end, the pilot managed to maintain a little over two minutes advantage in the 12th and final stage. João Ferreira finished fifth.
Yesterday, the fastest was Florent Vayssade (Sébastien Loeb Racing Bardahl Team/Polaris), who surpassed Ferreira (Can-Am Factory Team) by exactly one minute. On the road, the second was Jérôme de Sadeleer (MMP/Can-Am), but a 30-second penalty dropped him to third. De Soultrait (Sébastien Loeb Racing Bardahl Team/Polaris) was fourth, conceding only 24 seconds to de Sadeleer.
It was enough for the Frenchman to proclaim himself as the winner of the Dakar, beating the Swiss by 2m25s in the final overall classification. Competing at home, the Saudi Yasir Seaidan (MMP/Can-Am) completed the podium already over an hour behind the winner. Sara Price (South Racing Can-Am) was fourth and the best rookie, ahead of Ferreira. Navigated by Filipe Palmeiro in a completely Portuguese duo, they achieved several podium finishes and even won more than one stage in the category, but problems in the ninth stage took away their chance to fight for the title.
Top ten of Stage 12:
Final top ten:
