The 2025 SSV World Champion, Alexandre Pinto, finished the first stage of the bp Ultimate Rally Raid Portugal in the Top 10 of the Challenger class, after a day marked by various setbacks and difficult terrain conditions caused by rain.
The Old Friends Rally Team driver, navigated by Bernardo Oliveira and at the wheel of a Taurus, faced a particularly demanding stage, where several setbacks affected the team’s result.
“This first stage of the Rally Raid Portugal didn’t go as planned for us. We had some problems right at the start that caused us to lose a lot of time. Especially the first time we stopped at just 1.15 km. We had an issue that was very difficult to identify and set us back significantly. Then we had a flat tire, so it was a first stage that really slowed us down. Even so, we’re happy to have made it to the finish here. Now it’s time to get everything ready for tomorrow—tomorrow is a long stage, where we’ll leave Grândola and head toward Badajoz,” explained the SSV world champion.
Despite the setbacks, the duo managed to get the SSV to the end of the stage, remaining in contention for the top spots in the Challenger category.
The second stage of the bp Ultimate Rally Raid Portugal takes place tomorrow and will connect Grândola to Badajoz, covering 377 timed kilometers, in what will be the longest and most demanding day of the entire race.
Official Press Release
Photo: todoterreno.pt/Imagens Desportivasc
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