Portuguese champion third in the Junior Class in the Prologue
The national cross-country champion, Martim Ventura, made his debut in desert races today when he competed in the prologue of the 34th edition of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, the second round of the World Rally Raid Championship, which is taking place in the United Arab Emirates. At the controls of a Husqvarna, the young rider from the bp Ultimate Adventure Team recorded the third best time among the Juniors, the fifth best mark in the R2 Category and the 13th absolute time.
“It was a Baja-style prologue. I went in riding what I know. Everything went well. I know that the real race starts tomorrow and the result of this prologue didn't mean anything, but I tried to set a reasonable time and not fall behind. I'd like to say once again that my main focus and objective in this race is to qualify for the 2026 Dakar Rally, as I won't have another chance to do so. The bike is perfect, I feel good and I'm ready to face a stage in the dunes tomorrow. It's very hot and I'll have to hydrate well,” said Martim Ventura after the prologue.
Bringing together many of the world's best riders, the 2025 edition of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge gets underway tomorrow with the first 243km timed stage between Al Ain and Mezaira'a, in the heart of the Liwa oasis. It's a stage that promises to test the competitors from the start and could prove to be the toughest journey as the race approaches the mysterious and unforgiving Rub' Al Khali, the largest sand desert in the world.
Automatic translation of the Portuguese version
Source: bp Ultimate Adventure Team / A2 Comunicação
