Ventura claims stage victory on home soil
Portugal’s own Martim Ventura delivered a career-defining performance today, taking his first-ever World Rally-Raid Championship stage victory in front of his home fans. Riding for Honda HRC, the 26-year-old not only made history as the first Portuguese rider to win a Rally 2 stage, but also secured the maiden stage victory for the Honda CRF450 RX RALLY.
After a frustrating early setback in the rally, Ventura lined up determined to make amends as the riders departed Badajoz for the penultimate 274 km stage into Portugal. By the halfway point, he had surged into the Rally 2 lead and was trading times with the Rally GP elite, running fifth overall. From there, Ventura never looked back, holding his nerve to secure victory by a slender 11 seconds.
For teammate Preston Campbell, consistency was the theme of the day. Despite terrain that has pushed him outside his comfort zone throughout the European legs, the American kept his rhythm on the CRF450 RX RALLY. Campbell held steady inside the top ten throughout the stage, ultimately crossing the line ninth, 6’11” behind Ventura, to remain fourth overall.
With the penultimate challenge behind them, the Honda HRC duo can now rest up at the coastal bivouac in Lisbon. A 103 km sprint loop awaits tomorrow, marking the final test of a gruelling six-day rally and the chance for Ventura and Campbell to celebrate their achievements at the finish line.
Preston Campbell 85
Stage four was another good day. We started off on some slippery roads and had made some improvements on the bike, so I had a lot of fun. We rode the last 30 km of liaison in pure rain and now we’re in Lisbon. It’s the last day tomorrow and I’m really looking forward to it and having a good time.
Martim Ventura 84
Finally a day when we had no dust! I’m super happy because if it is confirmed we won the Rally 2 today then I’m happy for me, but also for the bike as it’s the first win for it in Rally 2. We are starting to show the potential of the bike. I’m very comfortable riding it, it’s good into the corners, has good stability, it’s super good on the rocks, so I’m super happy.
