The eighth edition of the Baja TT Dehesa Extremadura, held in the rugged border region between Spain and Portugal, once again delivered a spectacle of international stature. Spread over two days and more than 467 kilometers of competitive stages, participants from across Europe battled for victory in one of the continent’s toughest and most popular baja rallies.
The rally kicked off on May 1 with a shakedown for the cars, followed by the prologue and first stage on Friday, May 2. The route took competitors from Badajoz in Spain to Elvas in Portugal, and back via challenging off-road trails to the military base near Badajoz. The second day featured two long special stages of 175 and 178 kilometers, respectively, cutting through the southern and northern landscapes of Extremadura.
Portuguese reign supreme
In the car category, victory went convincingly to the Portuguese duo João Ferreira and Filipe Palmeiro in their MINI JCW Rally, with a total time of 8:05:22.6. They edged out fellow countrymen Tiago Reis and Paulo Fiuza by just two and a half minutes. The podium was rounded out by the SSV category team of Gonçalo Guerreiro and Pablo Moreno in a Polaris RZR PRO R.
Misfortune and determination for the Dutch
The Netherlands was represented this year by Puck Klaassen, Pim Klaassen, and Mark Laan. Puck Klaassen, together with co-driver Augusto Sanz, competed in a G-Rally OT3 in the Challenger class (T3.1). Despite a strong effort, they did not make it to the final classification. For Pim Klaassen and Mark Laan, the rally ended in disappointment on day one. Pim recounted:
Not our lucky day. Just 4 kilometers into the stage, another competitor came toward us — driving in the wrong direction. We met in a blind corner and collided at high speed. Luckily no one was injured, but both vehicles were too badly damaged to continue. That was the end of the rally for us. Tomorrow we’ll restart and try to make the most of it.
Despite the early exit, it wasn’t completely over for DaklaPack Rallysport. The team managed to repair the Taurus in time for the second stage. Unfortunately, their efforts were in vain as Pim and Mark did not feature in the results of the final stage.
Unique setting and solid organization
The Baja TT Dehesa Extremadura stands out not only for its demanding routes but also for its location. The event takes place in one of Europe’s largest contiguous natural areas — the dehesa — and offers a mix of gravel, sand, mud, and technical sections.
With a prologue in the heart of Badajoz, a cross-border stage into Portugal, and a spectacular finale at the Base General Menacho military compound, the rally delivered not just fierce competition but also stunning scenery for participants and spectators alike.
Strong field in the bike category
The motorcycle category was also dominated by Portuguese riders. Bruno Santos (Husqvarna) led from start to finish, followed by David Megre (Kawasaki) and Javier Vega (Yamaha). The time gap was striking — the fourth rider finished over an hour behind the top three.
Conclusion
The 2025 Baja TT Dehesa Extremadura saw no major incidents, attracted an impressive field of competitors, and once again proved why it remains a staple on the European rally calendar. For the Dutch participants, despite setbacks, the event left them wanting more — and hopeful for a renewed attempt in 2026.
