Martim Ventura Secures Second Overall as Sertões Heads Into Final Stage
Monster Energy Honda HRC rider Martim Ventura remains firmly in second place overall at the 2026 Sertões after another strong performance in the penultimate stage of the rally. The Portuguese rider finished second overall and claimed another victory in Moto 2, maintaining his dominant lead in the category as the event heads into its final day.
Stage 7 took the competitors from Niquelândia to Goianésia, in the state of Goiás, covering 345 kilometres in total, including 279 kilometres of timed special. The route began with technical and twisty sections before becoming faster towards the end, demanding concentration and precision throughout the stage.
Martim Ventura started the stage strongly aboard his Honda CRF 450 RX Rally. Opening the special and maintaining a strong pace without making mistakes, the Portuguese rider reached the refuelling point with a significant advantage and was on course for another overall stage victory.
However, a problem with the front brake forced Ventura to change his approach during the final part of the special. With the brake overheating and eventually becoming unusable, he had to significantly reduce his pace over the final 60 kilometres to safely reach the finish.
Despite the setback, Ventura completed the stage in second place overall, just 2 minutes and 43 seconds behind the stage winner, while taking another Moto 2 victory. He has now extended his lead in the category to more than 1 hour and 35 minutes.
After seven stages, Ventura sits second overall with a total time of 35h 15m 11s, 26 minutes and 21 seconds behind the leader. He also remains firmly in control of the Moto 2 classification.
The Portuguese rider has enjoyed an impressive debut in the Sertões. Since the opening stages, Ventura has consistently fought at the front of the motorcycle classification, collecting multiple stage victories and establishing himself as one of the leading riders in the event despite facing the demanding Brazilian terrain and the challenges of his first participation in the rally.
The final stage of the 2026 Sertões takes place on Sunday, August 30, travelling from Goianésia to Goiânia. The final day will cover 286 kilometres, including 127 kilometres of timed special, before the rally concludes in the capital of Goiás with the official podium ceremony.
The 34th edition of the Sertões features a total route of 4,020 kilometres, including 2,611 kilometres of timed special stages, spread across eight stages.
With only one stage remaining, Martim Ventura enters the final day of his first Sertões campaign in second overall and as the clear leader of Moto 2, aiming to finish an impressive debut on the podium.
Martim Ventura 84
Day seven is done. The stage was going very well until the refuelling. I had a good pace, I was calm and making no mistakes, and I had a good advantage up until that point.
Then I started having a problem with the front brake. It was overheating a lot, and for the last 60 kilometres I basically had no front brake. I had two or three very dangerous moments, so I started thinking about Morocco, which is the next objective, and I didn’t want to take any unnecessary risks.
I had to slow down and manage the pace until the finish, and that’s why I lost the stage. It’s a shame because I had a very good advantage and was in a strong position to win, but that’s racing.
I’m calm. The most important thing is that I’m okay, the race is almost over, and I’m almost ready for Morocco. Of course, I wanted to win today, so I’m a little disappointed that I couldn’t do it, but I’m calm and happy to be okay.
