The start of the 34th Sertões Petrobras is fast approaching, with the Prologue and Super Prime set to open the action in Goiânia on Saturday, 22 August. As has become tradition, the motorcycle category promises an intense battle across more than 4,000 kilometres, bringing together leading international riders, former winners and some of Brazil’s strongest rally-raid competitors.
With organisers promising a demanding and technically challenging edition, success will require a combination of outright speed, physical endurance, precise navigation and, not least, a well-prepared and reliable motorcycle.
Spain’s Tosha Schareina returns to Brazil looking to defend the title he claimed on his Sertões debut in 2025. The Honda HRC factory rider, runner-up in last year’s World Rally-Raid Championship, now has first-hand knowledge of the characteristics of the Brazilian stages and the specific navigation demands of the event — an area expected to play an even greater role this year.
Led by former rider and Sertões competitor Ruben Faria, Honda’s factory squad doubles its presence in 2026 with the addition of Portugal’s Martim Ventura, the current leader of the W2RC Rally2 category.
Flying the colours of Honda Racing Brasil, Bruno Crivilin is another rider expected to challenge at the front. In May, the Brazilian made history in Argentina by becoming the first rider from his country to claim a podium in a round of the World Rally-Raid Championship, finishing second in Rally2. He followed that result with victory at the Sertões Series Paraná in July and is also preparing for his Dakar Rally debut in 2027.
Honda will be aiming to move clear as the most successful motorcycle manufacturer in Sertões history. The Japanese brand currently shares the record with KTM, with 11 victories each.
Another manufacturer closely associated with success at the Sertões, Yamaha once again fields Frenchman Adrien Metge, winner in 2021 and 2024, who returns after missing the 2025 edition.
Last year’s runner-up Gabriel Bruning was the highest-placed Brazilian in the overall classification, while fellow Gabriel — Gabriel “Tomate” Soares — arrives as the reigning Brazilian Moto 1 champion. Experienced rider Ricardo Martins, the 2020 Sertões winner, adds further strength to Yamaha’s line-up.
One of the most recognisable names in the history of the motorcycle category, Dimas Mattos, will also return to competition after spending recent seasons focused on managing the DM team, traditionally one of the largest operations in the field.
The 2026 entry also features a strong female presence, with three riders lining up on motorcycles.
Moara Sacilotti, riding a Kawasaki, will make her remarkable 26th Sertões start, extending her outright record for motorcycle participations.
Bárbara Neves, representing Honda Racing, makes her Sertões debut with an impressive record that includes seven Brazilian Enduro titles and several notable results in international competition.
Completing the trio is Raquel Stein, who contested the 2025 event in a UTV but switches back to two wheels this year aboard a KTM.
The Self category once again provides one of the Sertões’ toughest challenges.
Run as a separate class, Self requires riders to carry out the maintenance of their own motorcycles throughout the rally. Competitors have access to a tool kit supplied by the organisation, through TXAI, along with technical guidance from a mechanic — but the work itself remains their responsibility.
They also sleep in tents, often managing only a few hours of rest each night. In this category, outright rivalry tends to take second place to a more fundamental objective: surviving all eight stages and making it back to Goiânia with both rider and motorcycle intact.
The 34th edition of the Sertões Petrobras, held from 22 to 30 August, will start and finish in Goiânia after eight stages through the Brazilian states of Goiás, Bahia, Maranhão and Tocantins.
The route includes host cities Cavalcante (GO), Luís Eduardo Magalhães (BA), Mateiros (TO), Porto Nacional (TO), Minaçu (GO), Niquelândia (GO) and Goianésia (GO) before the rally returns to Goiânia.
In total, competitors will cover 4,020 kilometres, including 2,611 kilometres of timed special stages that will determine the final classification.
The event counts towards the CBA Brazilian Rally Raid Championship, the Sportbay CBM Brazilian Rally Raid Championship and the 2026 Sertões Series.
“I’m very happy to be racing the Sertões again. I have great memories from last year — it was an incredible event. It’s a long and tough rally, and there are many very fast and highly motivated Brazilian riders. I think it’s going to be a lot of fun. I can’t wait to be back among the fans, who gave me such a warm welcome last year.”
“The Sertões is the race everyone waits for. It’s the most famous, the biggest and the most challenging. Last year I started well, but we had a few setbacks and then I had a crash that put me out of the rally. This time I feel more experienced, well prepared, comfortable with the bike and very confident.”
“I’m back and very happy to be competing in the Sertões again after unfortunately missing the 2025 edition. It’s going to be a very complete rally, with long special stages, a long marathon stage and many different types of terrain. It should be a great event, and we’ll do our best to fight for another title.”
“Making my Sertões debut is a dream come true. I’ve followed the rally since I was a child, and I can say that my entire journey in off-road motorcycling has brought me to this moment. I hope to overcome the challenge one day at a time. This will be a year of learning, and I want to take every opportunity to improve and reach the finish in good shape.”
“Expectations are very positive. Last year, every rider in the category completed the rally, which shows that we’re heading in the right direction. Now we’re ready for another Sertões Petrobras with this group of warriors.”
Source: Sertões
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