2. Paulo Goncalves
Monster Energy Honda Team (#17)
Paulo “Speedy” Goncalves is a stalwart of the Honda Factory Rally team. The veteran rider shows time and time again that he has the pace and the consistency to reach the finish. The Portuguese rider has come oh-so-close to winning in the past, taking the runner-up honors in the 2015 Dakar Rally. Goncalves also has a world championship to his credit with the 2013 FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship, testament to his ability.
Goncalves suffered a very uncharacteristic DNF in the 2016 Dakar after he was found unconscious on Stage 11–an unfortunate event that has likely made him hungrier than ever. With years of development now into the Honda CRF450 Rally, and additional backing from Monster Energy for 2017, it seems like it’s only a matter of time before the factory Honda team is victorious, and odds are good Goncalves will be the one leading the way.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONSTER ENERGY HONDA TEAM.
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