The second and final round of the Bajas European Championship brought the competitors back to Portugal for the Baja TT Sharish Gin in Reguengos de Monsaraz, a land deeply tied to the tradition of cross-country rallies. After the opener in March at Castelo Branco, the championship decider unfolded in the heart of the Alentejo region, an area that has long embraced the culture of Baja racing.
The route of the event was both spectacular and demanding: across the rolling fields and vineyards of Reguengos de Monsaraz and Mourão, cutting along both shores of the Alqueva Lake, one of Europe’s largest artificial lakes, and with the medieval Monsaraz Castle always in sight. The setting was not only about motorsport, the town was alive with festivities, including a traditional bull run through the streets, which coincided with the Baja weekend.
The competition stretched over three days. Friday with the prologue of 5.71 km to shape the starting order; Saturday with two Selective Sections (SS) of 87.75 km each; Sunday with the decisive final SS of 116.39 km.
In total, the Baja covered 524 km, of which 297.60 km were timed sections. The conditions were tough: dry, dusty, and on hard gravel roads littered with stones, testing both endurance and precision.
The weekend confirmed the dominance of Portuguese riders and drivers in their home terrain.
In the Moto category the victory went to David Megre, who controlled the race with authority. He finished more than a minute ahead of António Maio, while Paulo Cardoso completed the podium over ten minutes adrift.
The Quad category saw a brilliant performance from Rodrigo Alves, who stormed to victory and underlined his superiority in the class.
In the SSV, once again a Portuguese triumph, with the duo André Carita / Nuno Abrantes taking the top step.
Maria Taranto celebrated the victory and with it secured her the Women’s European crown.
With Reguengos de Monsaraz marking the finale of the European Bajas Championship, the event also crowned the season’s champions.
Thanks to his victory, David Megre moved from second overall to the top of the standings of the Moto category.
With two dominant wins – Castelo Branco and Reguengos – Rodrigo Alves was crowned champion in the Quad class.
Confirming his consistency across both rounds André Carita, took the SSV title, while Maria Taranto made it in the Women’s.
The Baja TT Sharish Gin thus brought to a close a short but intense European Bajas season, highlighting once again the blend of motorsport passion and cultural heritage that makes Portugal one of the great homes of the off-road.
Source: FIM
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