Sertões Petrobras 2026 reaches its decisive final stage on Sunday, 30 August, with Bruno Crivilin leading the motorcycles, Lucas Moraes and Kaíque Bentivoglio in command of the cars, and Deni Nascimento and Gunnar Dums at the head of the UTV classification. After seven demanding stages, just 286 kilometres separate the competitors from the finish in Goiânia and the crowning of the 2026 champions.
The day has arrived to find out who will be crowned champions of Sertões Petrobras 2026. Sunday (30 August) brings the last of the eight stages of the largest rally in the Americas, concluding a 4,020-kilometre challenge that began in Goiânia and will once again finish in the city. The 286-kilometre route linking Goianésia to the Goiânia International Circuit may seem short compared with the previous stages – particularly its 127 timed kilometres – but more than three decades of Sertões history have shown that the rally is never won before the finish. Especially in an edition described by drivers and navigators as the toughest and most demanding in recent years. If focus and concentration have been decisive so far, they become even more important with the finish now so close.
Saturday’s (29 August) seventh stage showed that, despite holding comfortable advantages, the leaders are still pushing hard. Competitors in the motorcycle, car and UTV categories faced 279 timed kilometres, with a total route of 345 kilometres starting from Niquelândia. Once again, the route included a mountain crossing and river crossings, winding sections and fesh-fesh – fine, talcum-like sand. A faster final section along farm tracks made the challenge less extreme than Friday’s stage, although competitors still had to contend with intense heat and machinery already showing the effects of a demanding rally.
In the motorcycle category, Bruno Crivilin (Honda CRF450RX Rally/Honda Racing Brasil) began the day looking to manage his comfortable advantage over team-mate Martim Ventura (Honda CRF450RX Rally/Monster Energy Honda HRC). The Portuguese rider led for much of the special but suffered brake problems, opening the way for another stage victory for the Brazilian. Crivilin heads towards Goiânia looking to confirm his first Sertões Petrobras victory and the 12th for the Japanese manufacturer. Third overall, Guilherme Bissotto (Yamaha WR450F/Txai Experience) continues to produce a solid rally and is close to securing victory in the Moto 2 category.
For Lucas Moraes/Kaíque Bentivoglio (MEM Prototype/MEM Motorsport), Sertões Petrobras 2026 has been synonymous with domination. With their sixth victory in seven stages, the reigning world champion and his trusted navigator moved very close to a fourth visit to the top step of the rally podium. The pair hold a comfortable 26-minute advantage over Marcelo Gastaldi/Cadu Sachs (Toyota GR Hilux DKR/Baja Tek), with Flávio Lunardi/Fred Budtikevitz (Toyota Hilux V8 IMA/Bulldog Racing) in third position. In Production, Victor Pudell/Claudemir Hubner were the fastest crew of the day, with overall leaders José Cardoso/Frederico Zettel (Mitsubishi L200 RS/Promacchina) second. The category, which brings together less extensively modified cars and Classic models, faced 147 timed kilometres.
The outcome is also taking shape in the UTV category. Deni Nascimento/Gunnar Dums (Can-Am Maverick R/Bompack Rally) completed the seventh stage with the third-fastest time, ahead of their main pursuers Pedro Mac Dowell/Daniel Spolidorio (Can-Am Maverick R/QI Racing). Two-time FIA Baja World Champion Cristiano Batista, partnered by Paulo Medina (Can-Am Maverick R/Transmáquinas Racing), was fastest on the day after beating Bruno Varela/Ari Fiúza (Can-Am Maverick R/Monster Energy Varela Rally) by just 0.64 seconds.
This year, Sertões Petrobras features an unprecedented live broadcasting operation. More than 60 hours of footage are being shown throughout the rally, a record in the history of the discipline worldwide. Coverage is available on the Roxo Sports and Sertões Petrobras YouTube channels, as well as Acelerados, N Sports – with the first and final hour of each day – Grande Prêmio and Terra.
“Happy with this seventh stage. I rode calmly all day. The beginning of the special was very tight and winding, with fesh-fesh, then it opened up a little. I thought Martim was going to win, but he had some problems. The final day is shorter but, if we don’t make it to Goiânia, none of this matters. We need to keep our heads and finish the way we have wanted to since the start.”
“It was another demanding stage. I was going well for much of the time but then started having problems with the front brake; I think a stone may have hit it. We still have one more day to finish a very difficult rally. We are tired and the machines are tired.”
“We are doing a good job and always bringing the bike back in good condition. Over the last few stages I have started to feel really comfortable on the bike. I’m happy with the result so far and hope to have a lot of fun on the final day.”
“Now there’s only one left. I’m happy to have once again brought the car home intact and maintained the lead. The stage was a little calmer than Friday’s; Kaíque [Bentivoglio] once again did a very good job with the navigation.”
“We had two punctures and a few problems towards the end of the special. We lost a little concentration, dropped some time and that cost us the stage victory. We keep going.”
“The stage started out winding, then became really enjoyable and we managed to have a lot of fun. We found a good rhythm, nothing crazy, because we have a good advantage and are in a favourable position for the final day.”
“We need to perform well on the final stage. I have a top-class competitor ahead of me and others right behind in the classification. It isn’t such a long day, but the rally only ends in Goiânia. Our goal was to win the category and secure an overall podium, and that is exactly the position we are in now.”
29 August – Seventh Stage
Niquelândia (GO) / Goianésia (GO)
DI: 48 km / SS: 279 km (Car / Motorcycle / UTV) and 147 km (Production) / DF: 18 km
TOTAL: 345 km
30 August – Eighth Stage
Goianésia (GO) / Goiânia (GO)
DI: 17 km / SS: 127 km (all categories) / DF: 142 km
TOTAL: 286 km
The final day of the rally features winding roads with hard surfaces and plenty of holes, along with demanding navigation, providing one final challenge before the competition reaches its conclusion.
DI: Initial liaison / SS: timed special stage / DF: final liaison
TOTAL DISTANCE: 4,020 km
SPECIAL STAGES: 2,611 km (cars / motorcycles / UTV)
1,493 km (Production)
Source: Sertões
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