The dramatic landscapes of AlUla once again set the scene for a long and demanding day for Monster Energy Honda HRC’s Rally2 riders, Martim Ventura and Preston Campbell. Stage three presented a stern test for the Dakar rookies, with a challenging combination of sand and rock surfaces, vast trackless plateaus and complex navigation requiring precision and composure to remain in contention.
Coming off his maiden Rally2 stage victory the day before, Ventura endured a difficult start after losing time in a small crash. Once he found his rhythm, however, the Portuguese rider quickly regained momentum aboard his Honda CRF450RX RALLY and went on to finish the stage just 3’13” behind winner Michael Docherty. While overall standings are not his primary focus on his Dakar debut, Ventura’s strong performances have elevated him to provisional second overall, only three and a half minutes from the lead.
Campbell continued to impress despite his limited rally-raid experience, once again challenging the category frontrunners. The American burst out of the start as the fastest rider at the first time check and although he lost some ground in the rocky sections, still delivered a first-class ride. He completed the stage just under seven minutes behind the fastest time, finishing just behind his teammate. The result moves Campbell into the final position on the provisional podium, where he will be aiming to consolidate his place over the coming days.
Attention now turns to the first of two marathon stages at this year’s Dakar Rally. Setting out from the AlUla bivouac, the riders face 451 km of timed action on stage four as they begin a two-day journey to Hail. With a total distance of 526 km to cover tomorrow, they will arrive at the marathon camp without any team assistance. Armed only with basic rations, a sleeping bag, mattress and tent, Ventura and Campbell will be responsible for their own repairs before settling in for the night under the stars, ahead of another demanding day on the road to Hail.
Ruben Faria - General Manager
It was another good day. Preston finished third, a really strong stage for him despite losing a bit of time with a navigation mistake, but he’s still fighting for the podium. Martim also did another good stage despite his early crash and fought back, after losing four minutes, to a strong second place finish.
Martim Ventura 84 - Stage: 2nd Overall: 2nd
It was a tough day. Every day I arrive here I say it was the toughest special of my life and today I say it again. I had a crash near the beginning and mentally and physically I was a bit sad. I tried to continue the stage, it was super long and I didn’t do too badly. Dakar is like this and understanding where you can go. I’m not sure about the strategy for the marathon, maybe take it slower on the first day, I just don’t know, because we don’t have mechanics at the end of the stage, nor a physio, we’ll try to take it easy.
Preston Campbell 85 - Stage: 3rd Overall: 3rd
The day was good, it was long, some difficult navigation, some really fast sandy pistes and canyons. It was a busy day, there were a lot of guys out there that I ended up riding with and trading off. It was all good, I’m looking forward to tomorrow and the marathon.
Source: Monster Energy Honda HRC
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