The Yamaha IMS Rally Team is in final countdown mode for the 33rd edition of the Sertões Rally, the largest and most legendary rally in the Americas, set to run from July 26 to August 3. The race kicks off in Goiânia, Goiás, and finishes at the beautiful Praia do Francês in Marechal Deodoro, Alagoas. In its sixth appearance at the event, the Yamaha squad is aiming for its fourth overall victory, having previously won in 2020 with Ricardo "Bob" Martins, and in 2021 and 2024 with Adrien Metge. With the rally counting toward the Brazilian Cross-Country Championship, Yamaha also enters as the current leader in the Overall, Moto1, and Moto Over categories.
The newest face on the team is Gabriel “Tomate” Soares, who arrives as the championship leader in both the Overall and Moto1 categories, riding the Yamaha WR450F. A two-time Brazilian Moto2 champion and winner of the Sertões 2024 in that same category, Tomate heads into his fourth Sertões with high hopes of repeating his winning performance.
Another standout is Gabriel Bruning, who made his rally debut in 2021 and captured the Moto3 Brazilian title in his very first year. In 2022, he won both his category and the overall classification at the Rally do Jalapão. He was Moto2 champion and overall runner-up at Sertões 2023, and is currently second in the Moto2 standings this season. With a strong Sertões performance, he hopes to take over the championship lead.
Veteran rider Ricardo “Bob” Martins returns for his 15th Sertões, bringing with him a wealth of experience that includes the 2020 overall win, as well as past titles in the Marathon (2011) and Super Production (2018) classes. Having also competed in the Dakar Rally, Martins faces a triple challenge this year—racing in Moto Over, where he is undefeated in the Brazilian series, as well as Big Trail and the Overall classification, riding the Yamaha Ténéré 700, renowned for its ruggedness and reliability.
Adrien Metge, two-time Sertões champion and four-time Brazilian national champion, will not compete in 2025 as he recovers from an injury sustained during the Rally do Jalapão. Still, he’ll be in Goiânia providing support and guidance to the team from behind the scenes.
Brazilian rider Janaina Souza, currently based in Portugal, joins this 33rd edition as a special guest. She’ll ride the Yamaha Ténéré 700, a machine known for its endurance and performance. With an international career taking shape, Janaina brings experience and strong representation to the rally, competing in the Big Trail category.
The competition spans nine days, beginning with the Prologue and Super Prime on Saturday, July 26, which will set the official starting order. The Prologue starts at 8 a.m., and the top 8 riders will face off in the Super Prime at 5:30 p.m..
From Sunday (July 27) onward, competitors will tackle eight intense stages, covering 3,482 kilometers, with 2,215 km of timed Special Stages, crossing the states of Goiás, Minas Gerais, Bahia, Pernambuco, and Alagoas.
Source: Yamaha Racing
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