Martim Ventura Secures Sertões Podium and Moto 2 Victory in Strong Debut for Monster Energy Honda HRC

Goiânia, Brazil – August 30, 2026

Monster Energy Honda HRC has completed the 2026 Sertões with an outstanding debut from Martim Ventura, who finished second overall and secured the Moto 2 title after eight demanding stages across Brazil.

The Portuguese rider completed his first Sertões campaign aboard the Honda CRF450RX Rally with a total time of 37h 35m 04s, finishing runner-up in the overall motorcycle classification and taking victory in Moto 2.

The final stage brought an emotional conclusion to the rally. The 127-kilometre timed special from Goianésia to Goiânia appeared to be heading towards a straightforward finish, but the final kilometres produced an unexpected challenge.

Overall leader Bruno Crivilin encountered a cow on the course and, while trying to avoid it, crashed into a tree, damaging his Honda CRF450RX Rally. Unable to continue by himself, Crivilin was caught by Ventura, who was following behind.

With the overall victory at stake, Ventura chose to put the team ahead of his own result. Instead of continuing the fight for the stage victory, he stopped to help his teammate and towed Crivilin towards the finish line, allowing the Honda Racing rider to complete the rally and secure the overall Sertões title.

The decision reflected the team spirit that had been a defining feature of Monster Energy Honda HRC’s campaign in Brazil. Ventura arrived in the Sertões looking to gain experience in a completely new environment, but quickly established himself at the front of the rally, winning stages and fighting for the overall podium.

On the final day, however, the objective became bigger than his own result. When he found Crivilin stopped on the course, Ventura immediately focused on helping his teammate reach the finish. After eight demanding days of competition, the priority was to bring the overall victory home for Honda.

For Ventura, the Sertões was also an important step in his development as a rally-raid rider. Throughout the event he adapted to a wide variety of Brazilian terrain, from fast and sandy sections to highly technical tracks, while learning to manage long stages, navigation and the physical demands of an eight-day rally.

The Portuguese rider leaves Brazil with a second-place overall finish and the Moto 2 title, together with several stage victories and valuable experience from his first participation in the Sertões.

The 34th edition of the Sertões covered approximately 4,020 kilometres, including 2,611 kilometres of timed special stages, crossing the Brazilian states of Goiás, Bahia and Tocantins before returning to Goiânia for the finish.

For Monster Energy Honda HRC, Ventura’s debut represents another strong result for the team in one of the most demanding rally-raid events in South America. His Moto 2 victory and second place overall complete a highly successful week in Brazil and provide an important platform for the next challenges of the season.