Info: Automatic translation of the Brazilian Portuguese version
Mission accomplished. The Sertões BRB closed on Saturday (31) in Brasília with a challenge of around 3,700 km, which began in the Federal Capital itself and crossed Goiás, Minas Gerais, Bahia and Tocantins. A demanding edition, more than worthy of the 32-year tradition of the biggest rally in the Americas.
The eighth stage, from Formosa (GO) to Brasília, was the last test for drivers and navigators. A shorter timed special (133 km) that demanded extra attention, so as not to jeopardize all the work started on the 23rd. And it confirmed the great champions of the 2024 edition. A sign that experience is an important factor in an endurance race, all of whom had experienced this emotion in previous years.
On two wheels, Adrien Metge (Yamaha WR 450F / IMS Yamaha) came out on top in the duel between France and the United States. In an impeccable season, he led the Sertões BRB since the first stage, and won five of them to confirm his second conquest - the first came in 2021. On the final day, Adrien made the most of his advantage to control Klein and celebrate with his team on the finishing ramp. Third, Gabriel Soares (Honda CRF 450RX / Honda Racing) was the best Brazilian in the final standings and, what's more, he won the Moto 2 category. In Self by Motul, which brings together riders who don't have the support of mechanics and have to do all the maintenance on their bikes, Jean Michel Zuchelli (Honda CRF 450RX / Txai Rally) won.
The quad bike competition crowned Marcelo Medeiros (Yamaha Raptor 700 / Taguatur) from Maranhão for the fifth time. A standout in the sport's main international events, he also controlled the race from the start.
In the cars, one of the best current drivers on the international scene once again made his mark. Together with long-time partner Kaíque Bentivoglio, Lucas Moraes celebrated his third championship (they were also the best in 2019 and 2022), aboard the Toyota GR Hilux DKR T1+ of Toyota Gazoo Racing with which he competes in the World Rally Raid Championship (W2RC).
The duo even lost the lead in the accumulated points, but with a strong pace and fine-tuned driving and navigation, they regained it in the first leg of the Marathon and never lost it again. They beat the 2023 champions Marcelo Gastaldi / Cadu Sachs (Century CR7 / Baja Tek). To complete the Moraes family's celebrations, Marcos Moraes, MEM, Lucas' father, and Fábio Pedroso (Toyota GR Hilux DKR T1+ / MEM) finished the Sertões BRB in third place.
The most numerous category in this edition of the Sertões BRB (89 teams), the UTVs once again provided a balanced and exciting contest, which was only defined in the penultimate stage. After winning in 2022, Deni do Nascimento and Gunnar Dums (Can-Am Maverick R / Bompack Racing) repeated the feat - for the driver from Brusque it was his third conquest - he was also champion in 2019. Second place for a duo that is synonymous with the event: Zé Hélio (five-time motorcycle winner) and Bissinho Zavatti (2022 motorcycle winner), aboard the Can-Am Maverick R. Despite setbacks on the seventh stage, Bruno Varela / Ari Fiúza (Can-Am Maverick R / Monster Energy Varella Rally) closed the rally in third place.
Fifth place for a driver who showed his versatility once again. The youngest Stock Car champion and a standout in the North American IMSA series, Felipe Fraga also took home victory in the UTV2 category, alongside Edu Bampi (Can-Am Maverick X3 / Dango Racing).
Speaking of adapting quickly, Sacha Fenestraz fulfilled his dream of riding alongside his mother in his first off-road experience. The Formula E World Championship driver finished the Sertões BRB in 46th position, despite problems that caused him to lose time in the fifth stage.
The Sertões BRB is valid for the Brazilian Rally Raid Championship, the FIM Latin American Championship and the Sertões Series.
In the photo: Marcelo Medeiros, Quad category winner
Lucas Moraes (winner driver Car): “It was a very special year for us, we managed to follow a very well thought-out strategy from the start, the team did an incredible job. We won five of the seven stages, I did the Super Prime final with my father; Kaíque did his best navigation. They were very good stages, the spreadsheet was one of the best we've ever had, the organization is to be congratulated, the Sertões was sensational. Now we have to celebrate a lot.
Kaíque Bentivoglio (winner navigator Car): “I hadn't ridden with Lucas for a year, it was great to see all his progress, how well he's married to the car. The race was fluid, just the way we like it, the route was always complete, with all the references. The rally started off exciting from the prologue and it was like that until the end. Let's celebrate the triumph and start thinking about the quadruple crown.”
Adrien Metge (Moto winner) : “After two years in which I had problems, this time everything worked out right from the start. The bike was perfect and the team worked very well, this title is for them. I think I'm getting like wine, older and better”.
Deni do Nascimento (UTV winner): “It's been a different year, we received a penalty in the Prologue, which put us well behind in the first stage. We had to deal with the dust and the overtaking and we left with a big disadvantage. We managed to grow over the stages until, on the sixth, we took the lead and never let go. It was an electrifying race, with almost 90 UTVs, and that only ennobles our achievement. It's even more special because it's the first victory for the Maverick R. We had the option of racing with the X3 with which we were champions in 2023, but we decided to take a chance. The car behaved wonderfully and the team was perfect.”
Gunnar Dums (UTV winner navigator): “Last year we were at a disadvantage until the start of the last day and we managed to turn it around. Now it was very even day by day, the gap to Bruno (Varela) was always small until they ran into problems, there was emotion throughout the race. We didn't face any problems throughout the rally, the car is a ship”.
Marcelo Medeiros (Quadricycle winner): “Just completing all the stages this year is something great, and being champion is even better. Now we're looking for new challenges.
Info: Automatic translation of the Brazilian Portuguese version
Source: Sertões
