Thousands of people cheered at the starting ceremony of the 39th bp Ultimate Baja Portalegre 500 held at Jardim do Tarro, in the city centre.
Today, the competitive portion began with the prologue and the first stage for cars and motorcycles. It will be a weekend of excitement and spectacle on the challenging roads of Alto Alentejo and Ribatejo.
Every year, the scene repeats itself. There is a veritable pilgrimage to see the car, motorcycle, ATV, and SSV drivers up close who will participate in what is the oldest and most prestigious off-road event in Brazil. The public was constantly present throughout the day, with hundreds of people watching the technical scrutineering.
The race, organised by the Automóvel Club de Portugal (ACP), takes place between October 23rd and 25th and counts towards the FIA Baja World Cup and the FIA Baja European Cup. This event is also part of the Portuguese Off-Road Championship for cars (FPAK) and motorcycles, quads, and SSVs (FMP), and has the unique advantage of potentially deciding national titles.
The competitive portion began today. Car and motorcycle drivers will compete in the prologue (5 km), on the outskirts of Portalegre, and the first stage (70 km). These two events, like in previous years, are expected to attract a large number of spectators. It is also the first clash between the best national and international drivers.
In sporting terms, the Portuguese are the leading contenders for victory in the bp Ultimate Baja Portalegre 500. João Ferreira (Toyota Hilux T1+ Evo) will attempt his third victory in the race, but faces opposition from Francisco Barreto, João Ramos, Luis Recuenco, and Wlodzimierz Grajek, all driving Toyota Hilux T1+ Evo.
Miguel Barbosa (Taurus T3 Max) won the race in 2024 with a side-by-side and is looking to repeat the feat this year. Tiago Reis (Taurus Evo Max), Ricardo Porém (Kaisen S1), and Spaniard Angel Valero (VM T34) could also compete for victory, especially if the race is run on muddy ground. In that case, the Challengers‘ reduced weight, handling, and speed could make all the difference.
The ACP race could be decisive for the overall national championship. Gonçalo Guerreiro, João Ferreira, and Tiago Reis are in contention for the title with two races remaining in the season.
In the SSV category, João Dias (Polaris RZR), Gonçalo Guerreiro (Taurus Evo Max), Mitchel Van Den Brink (Can Am Maverick), Afonso Oliveira (Polaris RZR), and Luís Cidade (Can Am Maverick) are the main favourites.
In the motorcycle category, António Maio (Yamaha WR 450) is seeking his ninth victory in this Baja. He faces opposition from Bruno Santos (Husqvarna FE 450), Sebastian Buhler (KTM 450 EXC-F), and Micael Simão (Gas Gas EC 500), who could be crowned national champion in Portalegre.
In the quads, junior Tomás Paulo (Yamaha YFZ450R) stands out, leading the National Off-Road Championship and seeking his first victory at the bp Ultimate Baja Portalegre 500. Also noteworthy are Luís Fernandes (Yamaha YFZ450R) and João Vale (Yamaha YFZ450R), who have won this event twice.
The traditional Mini Baja is once again a showcase for the sport. It’s contested by riders aged 8 to 14, divided into the Motorcycle, Quad, and SSV categories. Today, starting at 1:30 pm, they’ll compete in a circuit race that’s sure to be very exciting.
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