The battle between KTM and Honda flared up once again — but this time, it was Honda that came out on top. Racing on home soil, Spain’s Tosha Schareina (Honda CRF 450 Rally) went all-in, blasting through the final 100 km on worn tires to win the stage by 2m18s over Daniel Sanders. With that performance, Schareina takes over the overall lead on two wheels. “It was a great day for me. I pushed as hard as I could in the last part of the stage, even with the tires completely gone. I’ve gained a small advantage, but tomorrow I’ll be opening the road — and the next few days are going to be tough,” said the Spaniard. This marks Honda’s first time leading a W2RC round since Abu Dhabi.
Australia’s Daniel Sanders (KTM 450 Rally), who had been in control until now, dropped to second after a grueling day: “I survived a very technical stage that required a lot of strategy. I tried to save my tires as much as possible on this rough route, and I’m happy to make it to the end. Tomorrow, with fresh rubber, it’s going to be a different story,” said the current championship leader. Just 42 seconds separate the two rivals, setting the stage for an explosive showdown tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Portugal’s Bruno Santos (Husqvarna FR450 Rally) once again proved his speed against the world’s best. He set the fastest time in Rally 2, but a one-minute penalty pushed him down to second in class (8th overall). “It was a very technical but fun stage. I really enjoyed it, and I hope I can keep the pace tomorrow,” he commented.
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
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