Fernando Barreiros, alongside José Sá Pires, secured the runner-up title in the FIA World Baja Cup after claiming 2nd place in the Stock Category at the Dubai International Baja among the competitors eligible for points. Driving a Nissan Patrol, the duo once again tackled in Al-Faqa’a the 195.24-km selective sector through the Al-Qudra desert dunes — the same route used in the opening stage.
“We’ve just finished the Dubai International Baja and we are vice-champions of the FIA World Baja Cup. Unfortunately, the result didn’t go our way in the fight for the title. We knew our chances were slim — we would only become champions if our direct rival retired, which didn’t happen. He was competing at home, but we fought until the end in a race where, truth be told, we weren’t entirely comfortable. We deserve congratulations for all the effort and for fighting right to the finish. That’s how we approach competition, and now we’ll think about what comes next year,” said Fernando Barreiros on arrival at the Dubai International Baja bivouac, where the driver from Loures also climbed to 4th overall among the Master drivers.
José Sá Pires, who made his desert-navigation debut at the previous round in Qatar, highlighted that this “was once again an incredible experience. Navigating through dunes and in the heart of the desert is impressive. We must value everything positive we achieved. We wanted the title, we didn’t get it, but we are vice-champions — that’s fantastic. Congratulations to our rival, but I feel we also deserve the applause.”
It is worth recalling that in 2024 Fernando Barreiros was crowned European Baja Champion, won the Iberian Cup (for the third consecutive year) and triumphed in the Troféu Terras do Grande Lago Alqueva — all in the Stock Category.
Source: Official press release
