Repsol Toyota Rally Team climbs three places in the overall standings after completing their first clean day at the 2025 Rally Raid Portugal.
After three demanding days, the Rally Raid Portugal finally gave the Repsol Toyota Rally Team a breather. Isidre Esteve and co-driver Txema Villalobos completed Stage 4 without setbacks, regaining confidence and pace while climbing three positions in the overall classification.
The day covered 530 km in total, including 274 km against the clock, on narrow forest tracks that were anything but favorable for the Toyota Hilux T1+. Starting from the back of the pack, Esteve and Villalobos had to overtake several cars in dusty, tree-lined sections where visibility was minimal and overtaking was fraught with risk.
“Today we started very far back and found ourselves on narrow tracks in the forest, where overtaking was extremely difficult. We managed to pass a few cars, but always with a lot of caution, because the dust clouds made visibility almost zero and the risk was very high. The important thing is that we completed a clean stage, gradually increased our pace, and continue to gain experience for what lies ahead,” explained Isidre Esteve at the finish.
Thanks to their consistency, Esteve ended the stage 22nd in the Ultimate category, moving up to 24th overall.
Tomorrow, Sunday, September 28, the Rally Raid Portugal reaches its grand finale with 289 km in total, including 104 timed kilometers around Lisbon, bringing this demanding rally to a close.
Source: Repsol Toyota Rally Team
Photo: ImagensDesportivas.com
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