The Prologue will once again take place right next to the Service Park. Twisty, fast, and fun—this is where the clock officially starts ticking. At the sharp end of the field, the fight will be for a coveted spot inside the Top 10, while further back the priority will simply be “not to fall too far behind.”
As usual, fans can look forward to plenty of corners, a few jumps, and maybe even one or two heart-stopping moments. In 2024, dust wasn’t an issue—quite the opposite. The fine, soft sand of this section quickly turned into deep ruts, eventually forcing the stage to be stopped. As the Portuguese like to say, “just part of the job.” We don’t expect a repeat of last year’s stoppage, but without rain the sand will be even softer and trickier. Perfect for the sand specialists—though the dense tree sections will add another layer of difficulty.
Both spectators and insiders are eager to see the big names of rally-raid battling for the best positions. But Portugal is also a breeding ground of talent, and right now the spotlight is on João Ferreira, fresh off his victory at Baja Aragón. The young Portuguese star has become the country’s spearhead, and on a short stage like the Prologue, he has every chance of gunning for the top spot.
On such a technical track, full of constant twists and turns, the so-called “smaller” cars may well hold the edge. Challengers and SSVs have a big advantage here, and we could very well see some of them finishing inside the Top 10—or even right at the front of the classification.
Once the Prologue is complete, attention will shift to the starting order ceremony, and then to the first full stage the following day—where the real rally begins and everything can change. Stay tuned to see what surprises that day will bring.
By the way, do you want to know more about Grandola? Check this out.
Photo: Rally-Raid Network // ImagensDesportivas.pt
Rally-Raid Network
Disclaimer:
As a service to the sport we all love and follow, Rally-Raid Network posts numerous media releases from a wide variety of sources on our website. Due to the large number, and some times short time available, it is nearly impossible to review each public release. These articles are written by reporters or press officers who work for various organizers, teams, drivers, riders, and other parties, and they do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Rally-Raid Network.
