The third stage of the bp Ultimate Rally Raid Portugal turned the standings upside down, delivering plenty of drama on Spanish soil. In the car category, Portuguese hopeful João Ferreira (Toyota) saw his lead slip away after a costly mistake, handing the top spot to Brazil’s Lucas Moraes (Toyota). On two wheels, Spain’s Tosha Schareina (Honda) moved into the overall lead, while Portugal celebrated with Gonçalo Guerreiro and João Dias taking control in the Challenger and SSV classes.
Tomorrow (Saturday), the “European Dakar” returns to Portuguese ground in the Alentejo region, with a 274 km timed special promising another intense day of competition.
Stage 3 was the only one of the event, organized by the Automóvel Club de Portugal, run entirely in Spain’s Extremadura. Covering 308 km – the second-longest selective section of this year’s edition – the day proved decisive in reshaping the leaderboard across multiple categories.
Brazil’s Lucas Moraes delivered a flawless performance to go fastest and grab the overall lead: “It was a great day. I managed to ride clean, saved the tyres, even though the terrain was tough. I’m in front now and in a strong position for the days ahead,” said the Toyota driver. Close behind came Seth Quintero (Toyota Hilux T1+ Evo), ahead of Spanish legend Carlos Sainz. Despite suffering a puncture, Sainz showed he remains a threat for victory: “It was another day of fighting. Opening the road yesterday cost me, but I’m pleased and I’ll keep pushing,” he explained.
Nine-time World Rally Champion Sébastien Loeb was fourth quickest, noting: “I enjoyed today’s stage and finally had a clean run without issues. It’s a tough rally, something always happens. We’ll see how it plays out until the end.”
For João Ferreira (Toyota Hilux T1+ Evo), the day ended in disappointment. Controlling the pace until kilometre 161, he went off track, breaking a rim and sparking a small fire. The incident caused the stage to be neutralized for nearly an hour. Ferreira eventually finished only 52nd on the day, dropping to 32nd overall.
Portugal still found reasons to celebrate. Gonçalo Guerreiro (Taurus Evo Max) was seventh on the stage and climbed into the lead of the Challenger class, while João Dias (Polaris RZR) not only topped the SSV category but also claimed 12th overall – an outstanding result against international rivals.
Stage 4 takes place on Saturday, linking Badajoz to Lisbon over a total distance of 528 km, including 274 km against the clock. The opening section, still on Spanish territory, is relatively narrow and demanding. From there, competitors cross into Portugal through the regions of Reguengos, Portel and Évora, tackling a mix of smooth surfaces and tougher terrain. It’s a route with a truly Alentejo character, ending in Lisbon at Doca de Pedrouços. Spectators will be able to visit the bivouac located there between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m.
Classification after stage 3
Photo: ImagensDesportivas.com
Source information: Rally-Raid Portugal / ACP Motorsport
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