Team debuts with victory in Moto 1 and Moto 2 and takes a double in the General Classification in a race valid for the Brazilian and Latin American Rally Raid Championships
Tuesday (4/8) was marked by high speed and a lot of dust in the Brazilian backlands, with the first day of competitions in the 27th RN 1500 Rally. The competition, which opens the Brazilian Rally Raid Championship and also counts points for the Latin American Championship, had a double for the Yamaha IMS Rally Team, with victory for Adrien Metge and second place for Gabriel Bruning.
The first stage of the RN 1500 started in Caruaru, in Pernambuco, and headed to Cabaceiras, in Paraíba, covering a total distance of 313.87 km, of which 231.62 km were in the Timed Special.
Starting further back in the Special, Adrien Metge had to overtake several competitors on a very dusty route, but he used all his speed and experience to push his Yamaha WR450F to the limit and record the best time of the day, both in the Moto 1 category and in the General Classification.
Another standout on the team was Gabriel Bruning from Santa Catarina, who had a very strong performance on this first day, winning the Moto 2 category and securing second place in the General Classification and a one-two for Yamaha, with his Yamaha WR450F.
Team newcomer Gabriel “Tomate” Soares recorded the third best time in the Prologue, the same position he started in the Special. He maintained a strong pace throughout the course and was always among the first in the partial stages, but faced problems with his roadbook and route plan, finishing the stage in 4th place in the Moto 1 category and 5th overall.
Ricardo “Bob” Martins also did well when he debuted his Yamaha Ténéré 700 in the Rally with victory in the Moto Over category. In the General Classification, he is in 7th place, showing all the versatility of the Yamaha motorcycle.
This Wednesday (9) the second stage of the race will be held, with the riders leaving Cabaceiras/PB bound for Currais Novos/RN, on a 281.32-kilometer course, 218.10 of which are Timed Special. The organization warns of a tough day, with mountains, a winding route and many rocks in the Sertão do Cariri.
Check out the results of the day, the schedule for the 27th RN 1500 Rally and the day's summary by the Yamaha IMS Rally Team riders.
The Yamaha IMS Rally Team is sponsored by IMS Racewear, DID, Yamalube, Ram, Wurth, Polisport, Borilli, Power MX, Higor Tanques, Negretti Preparações, Tendas El Shaddai, Wamc Log, Durag, LogiTime and Slin Graphics.
Results – RN 1500 Rally 2025 – 1st Stage
Caruaru/PE | Santa Cecília/PB | Cabaceiras/PB
Overall Classification
1st) Adrien Metge – Yamaha IMS Rally Team / 3h28min40sec
2nd) Gabriel Bruning – Yamaha IMS Rally Team / 3h30min13sec
3rd) Romain Dumontier / 3h32min04sec
4th) Martin Duplessis / 3h33min00sec
5th) Gabriel Tomate – Yamaha IMS Rally Team / 3h34min55sec
8th) Ricardo Martins – Yamaha IMS Rally Team / 3h36min53sec
Source: Yamaha IMS Rally Team
Photo: Marcos Leite/DFotos
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