Thousands of people gathered to watch the start ceremony of the 39th bp Ultimate Baja Portalegre 500, held in Jardim do Tarro, in the heart of the city. Tomorrow marks the beginning of the competitive section, with the prologue and the first stage for cars and bikes. It’s set to be a weekend full of excitement and spectacle across the challenging trails of the Alto Alentejo and Ribatejo regions.
Every year, the scene repeats itself. There’s a true pilgrimage to see up close the drivers of cars, bikes, quads, and SSVs competing in what is the oldest and most prestigious cross-country rally in Portugal. The presence of the public was constant throughout the day, with hundreds of fans watching the technical scrutineering.
The event, organized by the Automóvel Club de Portugal (ACP), takes place between October 23 and 25 and counts towards both the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas and the FIA European Cup for Cross-Country Bajas. It also forms part of the Portuguese Cross-Country Championship for cars (FPAK) and for bikes, quads, and SSVs (FMP), and it has the particularity of being potentially decisive for the national titles.
The competitive section begins tomorrow. The car and bike competitors will tackle the prologue (5 km), held on the outskirts of Portalegre, followed by the first stage (70 km). Both stages are expected, as in previous years, to attract large crowds. It will also serve as the first real showdown between the best Portuguese and international drivers.
In sporting terms, the Portuguese are the main contenders for victory at the bp Ultimate Baja Portalegre 500. João Ferreira (Toyota Hilux T1+ Evo) will be aiming for his third win in the event but will face strong competition from Francisco Barreto, João Ramos, Luis Recuenco, and Wlodzimierz Grajek, all driving Toyota Hilux T1+ Evo machines.
Miguel Barbosa (Taurus T3 Max), who won the event in 2024 with a side-by-side, is looking to repeat the feat this year. Tiago Reis (Taurus Evo Max), Ricardo Porém (Kaisen S1), and Spanish driver Angel Valero (VM T34) are also in contention for the win — especially if the race is held in muddy conditions, where the lighter weight, agility, and speed of the Challenger vehicles could make a difference.
The ACP event could prove decisive in the fight for the national championship. Gonçalo Guerreiro, João Ferreira, and Tiago Reis remain in the title fight, with two rounds left in the season.
In the SSV category, the main favourites are João Dias (Polaris RZR), Gonçalo Guerreiro (Taurus Evo Max), Mitchel Van Den Brink (Can-Am Maverick), Afonso Oliveira (Polaris RZR), and Luís Cidade (Can-Am Maverick).
In motorbikes, António Maio (Yamaha WR 450) will be chasing his ninth win at the Baja. He faces opposition from Bruno Santos (Husqvarna FE 450), Sebastian Bühler (KTM 450 EXC-F), and Micael Simão (Gas Gas EC 500), who could secure the national title in Portalegre.
In quads, attention turns to junior rider Tomás Paulo (Yamaha YFZ450R), who leads the National Cross-Country Championship and is seeking his first win at the bp Ultimate Baja Portalegre 500. Also worth noting are Luís Fernandes (Yamaha YFZ450R) and João Vale (Yamaha YFZ450R), both two-time winners of the event.
The traditional Mini Baja once again serves as a showcase for the sport’s future stars. It is contested by young riders aged 8 to 14, divided into the Moto, Quad, and SSV categories. The race takes place tomorrow, in the prologue start and finish area, from 1:30 p.m., and promises to be a lively and entertaining competition.