Nuno Matos and Ricardo Claro wrapped up the Baja de Lagos this afternoon, the final round of the Portuguese Cross-Country Rally Championship, in an event marked by technical setbacks but also by clear signs of the duo’s potential — and that of the Amarok Proto.
In the Algarve for the championship’s closing round, Matos and Claro saw their performance in the opening selective sector compromised by brake issues. On Sunday, during the second selective sector, a new setback emerged in the transmission. The problem was solved during the stage, but it resulted in significant time loss. Even so, in the final kilometres the pair once again showed their competitiveness, running in 6th place overall.
For Nuno Matos, the weekend reflects the story of the entire season: “We came into this race determined to finish with a solid result, but once again things didn’t go our way. Still, whenever everything worked, we showed our true pace and managed to fight at the front. There’s frustration, of course, but also the certainty that we have the ability to achieve much more.”
With the Baja de Lagos, a demanding season comes to an end — one that fell short of expectations and of the team’s potential, but which also allows them to look ahead to 2026 with optimism.
“I want to express my sincere thanks to Ricardo and our whole team, to all our sponsors, partners and friends, whose support and trust were essential throughout a season that was challenging, but also full of learning. We now stay focused on 2026, with renewed ambition and the firm belief that next year will bring a happier season, more in line with the competitive potential we know we have,” the driver concludes.
Source: Official press release
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