Martim Ventura, rider for the bp Ultimate Adventure Team, continues to impress at the Dakar Rally 2026, finishing today’s 11th stage in 2nd place in the Rally2 category—just 1 second away from repeating the historic victory he achieved on Stage 1. Today’s route ran from Bisha to Al Henakiyah, across a demanding course featuring 347 kilometres against the clock. The stage was marked by a high number of crossings, forks and junctions, making the route particularly complex from a navigation standpoint.
Martim Ventura, an official HRC Honda rider, also secured 10th place overall, 9m34s behind the outright winner of this 11th stage. After today’s stage, the young bp Ultimate Adventure Team rider remains the second-best Rookie, holds 3rd place—and therefore a podium position—in the Rally2 category, and also sits 12th overall in the absolute general classification.
“It was quite a smooth special stage, always pushing fast. There were some technical sections, but they were a lot of fun. I only had an issue with the tablet where it didn’t validate some waypoints, and I lost a minute or two because of that. We’re almost at the end of the race and I’m loving every day, and I’m very happy with the results,” said Martim Ventura at the finish of the special.
The Dakar Rally 2026 continues tomorrow with Stage 12, from Al Henakiyah to Yanbu. Competitors will face a 310-kilometre timed selective section, with fast tracks alternating with winding, narrow stretches and riverbeds, before a very demanding dune section reserved for the finale.
Source: Official Press Release
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