Ventura and Campbell overcome tough conditions on Rally-Raid Portugal Stage One

Martim Ventura and Preston Campbell successfully completed the opening stage of Rally-Raid Portugal today for the Monster Energy Honda HRC team, navigating a challenging day that tested both riders.

Overnight rain significantly impacted the stage and with nearly 200 km of timed racing on a loop from the Grândola bivouac, conditions were far from easy.  The stage was split into two main sections: after a 12 km liaison, the first 177 km of the special stage featured extremely wet and muddy tracks, deep riverbed crossings and technical navigation that demanded full concentration.  Riders then faced a 31 km road section bringing them back to the start of yesterday’s prologue, which was raced again in reverse under the watchful eyes of enthusiastic Portuguese fans.

For Preston Campbell, more familiar with the Californian desert than Portugal, the stage proved a real test.  In only his second Portuguese event, the young American delivered an impressive performance, finishing just off the stage podium in fourth, 3’42” behind stage winner Bruno Santos.  Just 13 seconds from the overall podium and 3’46” off the lead, Campbell will aim to climb higher tomorrow aboard his Honda CRF450 RX RALLY.

Martim Ventura, rode with determination to secure seventh fastest, 5’26” behind the stage winner.  Sitting seventh overall and 5’38” back, the Portuguese rider is ready to fight to regain time over the coming days.

With both riders safely back at the Grândola bivouac, attention now turns to stage two, which will take them into Spain.  The industrial city of Badajoz awaits after 500 km of racing tomorrow and both riders hope for drier conditions for what promises to be a long, demanding day in the saddle.