Rider Profile: Helder Rodrigues

Helder Rodrigues 

Rider Statistics

Portuguese Helder Rodrigues, 35 years old, known as ‘Estrelinha’ (‘Little Star’), is entering his ninth Dakar Rally. After his first podium in 2010, the 2011 season was the Portuguese rider’s strongest to date concluding with the World Rally-Raid title.

Helder is best known for his successful participation in the Dakar Rally, although he already held a pretty impressive career record before taking on the desert rally raid. After making his way up through regional and national motocross and Enduro disciplines, Helder won his first Portuguese National Enduro Championship in 1999, and in the same year finished runner-up in the European Enduro 250cc class, as well as winning an ISDE gold medal. Seven further national Enduro titles followed, while Helder finished in the top 10 at the World Enduro Championships before he made the decision to race in the 2006 Dakar.

Helder has participated in the Dakar Rally on eight occasions taking 6 stage wins and 2 podium finishes. The 34-year-old rider has shown his capabilities, talent and experience, which make him one of the legitimate favourites for Dakar victory.

Career Information
2004: Overall Champion Enduro National Championship and Class I

2005: Overall Champion Enduro National Championship and Class II

2006: Dakar Debut, 9^th Dakar General, 2^nd Dakar 450 Super Production, Best Rookie, Enduro National Champion 450 4T

2007: 1^st Dakar 450 Super Production, 5^th Dakar General

2008: FIM Cross-Country World Vice Champion

2009: 5^th Dakar General

2010: 4^th Dakar General

2011: FIM World Champion Cross Country Rallies, 3^rd Dakar General, 1^st Rally of Morocco

2012: 3^rd Dakar General, 4^th in FIM World Cross-Country Rallies (2^nd in Qatar)

2013: 7^th Dakar General

2014: 5^th Dakar General, 4^th in FIM World Cross-Country Rallies

2015: 12^th Dakar General, Winner in 2 stages