Herdade das Coutadas was once again the scenery of the Baja Portalegre 500 opening stage. With a 5.32 km Prologue, riders had their first contact with the Baja’s tracks. Luís Oliveira, Bikes, Rúben Alexandre, Quads, João Dias, SSV, where the quickest in their respective categories.
Luís Oliveira leads the race, but it was not a straight forward achievement! Sebastian Bühler finished less than half of a second behind, also riding a Yamaha WR 450. Regarding the fight for the National Championship, Mário Patrão rounded up the top 3 with his KTM 500 EXC, while António Maio, riding a Yamaha WR 250F, was 5th.
Rúben Alexandre is the leader amongst the Quads, six times winner Roberto Borrego is 1.7s behind him, both in Yamaha YFZ 450R. The third spot belongs to the already National Champion Arnaldo Martins and his Suzuki LTR 450.
João Dias is the fastest in the SSV, with his Can Am X3 XRS, followed by Vítor Santo’s Can Am Maverick X3, 5.7s adrift. Luís Miguel Cidade rounds up the provisional podium, with a Can Am Maverick.