From September 21 to 28, southern Portugal and Spain’s Extremadura region will host the fourth round of the FIA and FIM World Rally-Raid Championship: the bp Ultimate Rally Raid Portugal. Following a successful debut in 2024, the Automóvel Club de Portugal is stepping things up this year with a longer, tougher route and a dramatic finale through the streets of Lisbon.
Alongside the global elite of both the FIM and FIA standings, several Dutch crews are lining up at the start once again. RallyTracks previews this unique European round of the W2RC calendar, promising technical challenges and a one-of-a-kind atmosphere.
A rally with character: Less Sand, More Spain
The bp Ultimate Rally Raid Portugal stands out as the only European event on the W2RC calendar. With five stages, a prologue, and a total distance of nearly 2,400 kilometers, more than 1,400 of which are timed, it’s set to be a punishing test across fast gravel tracks, dusty villages, and Mediterranean hills. A unique three-day stint through Spain includes a bivouac in Badajoz, with the final stage finishing in iconic Lisbon, right at the base of the Monument of the Discoveries.
Fierce battle between Sainz, Al Attiyah & Loeb with strong Dutch representation
In the cars, the battle in the T1+ class is led by championship leader Nasser Al Attiyah, who will push hard alongside Sébastien Loeb and Cristina Gutiérrez in the all-new Dacia Sandriders team. Strong competition is expected from South Africa winner Henk Lategan (Toyota), and Spanish hero Carlos Sainz, driving his Ford Raptor on home soil to massive local support.
In their wake, an impressive Dutch contingent lines up across multiple FIA categories:
Dutch competitors:
- Gydo Heimans & Rik van den Brink – Century CR7 – Team SRT
- Arjan van Tiel (co-driver for Vincent Thijs) – Toyota Hilux – RT Offroad
- Robert Voor de Poorte & Bert Mourik – Red-Lined Navarra VK56 – Red-Lined Europe
- Richard Timmerman & Kala Senders – Toyota Hilux – ORC/Oeste Racing Competition
- Johan Senders & Yvet Senders – Fiat Fullback Proto – ORC/Oeste Racing Competition
- Pim Klaassen & Mark Laan – Taurus T3 Max – DaklaPack Rallysport
- Wouter Rosegaar (co-driver for Richard Aczel) – Can-Am Maverick R – South Racing Can-Am
This means Dutch teams will be competing across the T1+, T1.1, and Challenger (T3) classes. Of particular interest is the Challenger performance of Klaassen & Laan, following strong results earlier this season with DaklaPack Rallysport.
Factory battles and an emotional return for Schareina
The motorbike category is packed with talent, with every major RallyGP team present at the start. Daniel Sanders, current championship leader, represents Red Bull KTM Factory Racing and remains unbeaten so far this season. He’s joined by Argentine star Luciano Benavides, who currently sits second overall.
Monster Energy Honda HRC fields a powerhouse lineup with Ricky Brabec, Adrien Van Beveren, Skyler Howes, and crowd favorite Tosha Schareina, returning after injury, and aiming to defend his 2024 Portugal win.
Hero MotoSports puts its hopes on world champion Ross Branch and Chilean rider Nacho Cornejo, while Sherco TVS Factory Racing counts on South African newcomer Bradley Cox, who made his debut with the team earlier this year. With the podium wide open, the battle for stage wins promises to be tighter than ever.
Meanwhile, rising stars will battle it out in Rally2 and Rally3—and once again, the Netherlands is present.
Dutch competitors:
- Joël van Mechelen – KTM 450 Rally Replica – Rally2
A familiar face in the international rally scene, Van Mechelen joins a highly competitive Rally2 category that also features names like Tobias Ebster (Hero) and Edgar Canet (KTM).
Schedule
- Sept 21–22: Scrutineering – Grândola
- Sept 23: Prologue (5.15 km) & ceremonial start
- Sept 24: Stage 1 – Grândola–Grândola (426 km total / 299 km SS)
- Sept 25: Stage 2 – Grândola–Badajoz (650 km / 423 km SS)
- Sept 26: Stage 3 – Badajoz–Badajoz (510 km / 309 km SS)
- Sept 27: Stage 4 – Badajoz–Lisbon (493 km / 288 km SS)
- Sept 28: Stage 5 – Lisbon–Lisbon (289 km / 103 km SS)
Final European chance for W2RC points
Rally Raid Portugal serves as the final European round before the season finale in Morocco. For both factory teams and privateers, this event is a crucial benchmark. For Dutch competitors, it offers not just valuable points but also visibility on the international stage.
RallyTracks will follow every moment of the bp Ultimate Rally Raid Portugal, providing updates, reports, and photos that highlight the Dutch performances along the way.
