The BP Ultimate Rally Raid Portugal got underway with a short prologue in Grândola. For the bikes, this immediately meant the first timed kilometers, while the cars and other FIA competitors remained in the bivouac due to the new 2026 regulations. They will only start in Stage 1, making Tuesday entirely focused on the bikes. Daniel Sanders quickly grabbed the spotlight by setting the fastest time, while Dutch representation was also clearly visible.
Sanders and Schareina head-to-head
The prologue immediately set the tone for what could become a tightly contested rally. Daniel Sanders clocked the fastest time with 3 minutes and 1.2 seconds, finishing just one second ahead of Tosha Schareina. Ricky Brabec dropped three seconds, while Edgar Canet and Adrien Van Beveren stayed within five seconds of the top time. The gaps were minimal, underlining just how competitive the RallyGP field currently is. According to the provisional results, the top ten riders were separated by only eight seconds.
For Sanders, it was a return to familiar territory. The Australian also won in Grândola last year and once again seems comfortable on Portuguese soil. Schareina immediately confirmed his status as one of the main contenders, while Brabec, Canet and Van Beveren showed they are equally sharp in the early phase.
Dutch highlight thanks to Knuiman
The standout Dutch performance came from Jeremy Knuiman. The 23-year-old rider from Xraids Experience delivered an impressive result in his international rally raid debut, finishing sixth overall and claiming the fastest time in Rally2. He crossed the line just six seconds behind Sanders and outpaced several established names. In the provisional classification, Knuiman is listed sixth overall and first in Rally2.
This is a remarkable achievement, especially since Knuiman had spoken beforehand about focusing on learning, improving navigation skills and building experience safely. The Dutch rider, son of former Dakar competitor Henk Knuiman, secured a dream start to his international rally raid career. It is not only a personal milestone, but also a rare Dutch success on two wheels in this championship.
Behind Knuiman, Dušan Drdaj and Portugal’s Bruno Santos finished level in Rally2, followed by Alfredo Pellicer and Neels Theric. Luciano Benavides, Dakar winner and current world championship leader, did not fully find his rhythm in the prologue. He finished fifteenth overall, twelve seconds behind Sanders.
Cars Prepare for first stage
While the bikes have already completed their first competitive kilometers, FIA competitors are still in preparation mode. Scrutineering has been completed and 65 vehicles are ready for the start of Stage 1. Due to the regulation changes, the starting order is no longer determined by a prologue, but by the world championship standings, effectively the Dakar results.
This means Nasser Al Attiyah will be the first car to start on Wednesday, followed by Mattias Ekström and Sébastien Loeb. It sets up an immediate battle between big names such as Al Attiyah, Loeb, Lucas Moraes, Carlos Sainz and Henk Lategan. Weather conditions could play a major role, with rain and slippery stages often making Portugal one of the most unpredictable rounds of the championship.
Preview of Stage 1
On Wednesday, the rally truly begins for all competitors with the first stage around Grândola. For the bikes, the focus will be on making the most of their chosen starting positions, while the cars will finally get into full competition mode. Sanders has delivered the first blow, but Schareina, Brabec and the rest of the top contenders are close behind. From a Dutch perspective, all eyes will be on Knuiman as he looks to build on his surprising top result in a full stage.
