The 39th edition of the bp Ultimate Baja Portalegre 500 was convincingly won by João Ferreira and co-driver Filipe Palmeiro. Driving their Toyota Hilux T1+ Evo, the Portuguese duo dominated from start to finish on the muddy trails of Alto Alentejo and Ribatejo. Alongside Ferreira’s commanding win in the car category, there was also Dutch success: Mitchel van den Brink and Bart van Heun claimed maximum points in the SSV class of the FIA World Baja Cup.
Ferreira Strikes in the Lion’s Den
João Ferreira started the rally with a statement of intent. He was untouchable during Friday’s prologue and the 70-kilometer opening stage, despite narrow ruts and slippery surfaces. Averaging over 80 km/h, he quickly pulled clear of his rivals, including Gonçalo Guerreiro (Polaris RZR) and Daniel Silva (Taurus T3 Max).
Saturday brought two grueling special stages of 180 and 195 kilometers, respectively. Heavy rain made conditions treacherous, but Ferreira remained unshaken. While others struggled with errors or mechanical failures, such as João Ramos and Guerreiro Ferreira, remained faultless. He won all three competitive sections, sealing his third Portalegre victory with over ten minutes to spare.
Dutch Delight: Van den Brink and Van Heun Take It All
One of the standout performances came from Mitchel van den Brink and Bart van Heun, competing for Eurol Rally Sport in a Can-Am Maverick R. The Dutch duo showcased a perfect blend of speed, strategy, and navigation. After Friday, they were already among the front-runners, but Saturday was where it really counted.
After nearly six hours of racing through the Portuguese countryside, Van den Brink and Van Heun finished fifth overall and third in the SSV class, missing out on second by just one-tenth of a second. Crucially, however, their result earned them the full 83 points in the FIA World Baja Cup, as the teams ahead weren’t registered for the World Cup.
“It was technical, dangerous, and especially intense in terms of navigation,” said Mitchel afterward. “Bart was flawless, and our strategy worked perfectly. This was our mission, and we accomplished it.”
With this result, they now lead the championship heading into the final two rounds in Qatar (6 November) and Dubai (20–23 November), where the world title will be on the line.
Silva Claims Challenger Win, Can-Am Rules SSVs
Daniel Silva claimed third overall and took top honors in the Challenger class. Consistently fast and mistake-free in his Taurus T3 Max, he proved a worthy winner. “We lose ground to the T1+ cars on the fast sections, but gained time in the technical zones,” said Silva. The Challenger podium was completed by Luís Cidade (Can-Am), who drove a smart, strategic race to secure second place.
In the SSV category, Can-Am once again proved its dominance. Luís Cidade topped the standings, ahead of fellow Portuguese driver Luís Portela Morais (Polaris) and the aforementioned Mitchel van den Brink.
Bike Battle Decided in the Final Stretch
The motorcycle category came down to a tight contest between Bruno Santos (Husqvarna), Micael Simão (GasGas), and André Sérgio (Beta). Sérgio appeared to have the win in hand but was handed a 3m26s penalty for a late arrival at a liaison, dropping him to fourth. That handed the overall victory to Micael Simão, who also clinched the Portuguese national championship in the process. “My goal was the title, so I rode controlled,” said Simão. “But I’m ready for the next step: Dakar 2027.”
Quads: Tomás Paulo Leaves the Field in the Dust
In the quad category, Tomás Paulo was a class apart. Riding his Yamaha YFZ450R, he finished over seven minutes clear of runner-up Rodrigo Alves, with Ricardo Duarte in third. Saturday’s wet conditions caused havoc for many quad riders, with several failing to reach the finish.
Conclusion: Classic Portuguese Drama with a Dutch Twist
The 39th edition of Baja Portalegre 500 delivered everything fans have come to expect: mud, rain, retirements, local heroes, and blistering pace. João Ferreira delivered a masterclass on home soil, while Can-Am reinforced its status as the vehicle to beat in the SSV class.
For Mitchel van den Brink and Bart van Heun, the podium felt like a victory. Their strategic masterstroke in Portugal marks a major step toward the world title. In November, the championship heads to the Middle East, and just maybe, we’ll be celebrating a new Dutch world champion.
