Portugal Prologue action begins for Honda Rally 2 duo
BP Ultimate Rally-RaidUnder bright blue skies in Grândola, the Monster Energy Honda HRC Rally 2 duo of Martim Ventura and Preston Campbell launched their Rally-Raid Portugal campaigns.
The challenge began with a short but unforgiving 3.5 km prologue near the bivouac. The distance was minimal, but the sandy terrain demanded precision from the outset, leaving no margin for error in a run that would be over in just a few minutes.
Smooth and composed on the slippery surface, Preston Campbell delivered a sixth place finish, just five seconds shy of the fastest Rally 2 time set by Jeremy Knuiman. His teammate, local favourite Martim Ventura, pushed hard in front of home fans and despite a small crash on his Honda CRF450 RALLY RX, Ventura quickly remounted to complete the prologue in 11th place.
Stage one sets off from the Grândola bivouac, with a 12 km transfer leading into a demanding 177 km timed section through forest tracks. Sand will remain a constant challenge, while riders must stay sharp for unexpected hazards such as deer and hidden tree stumps lurking off-line. The stage will then loop back to Grândola, where a final 3 km sprint will bring the day’s action to a close.
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This prologue wasn’t our best, first rider for the team was Preston in sixth. He was a little bit scared of the sand as it was quite slippery. Martim had a small crash and he finished in eleventh. The times were close and I think they’re in a really good position for tomorrow’s stage one.
This prologue wasn’t our best, first rider for the team was Preston in sixth. He was a little bit scared of the sand as it was quite slippery. Martim had a small crash and he finished in eleventh. The times were close and I think they’re in a really good position for tomorrow’s stage one.
I'm happy to be in good shape as it wasn’t the best prologue and I had a small crash, but I remounted quickly so that was good. The race starts tomorrow, so let’s go.
I'm happy to be in good shape as it wasn’t the best prologue and I had a small crash, but I remounted quickly so that was good. The race starts tomorrow, so let’s go.
The prologue was OK for me, super short, just over three minutes. It was sandy but a pretty slippery base and then there was some hard pack. I’m happy to get the race started and excited for tomorrow.
The prologue was OK for me, super short, just over three minutes. It was sandy but a pretty slippery base and then there was some hard pack. I’m happy to get the race started and excited for tomorrow.
Prologue - Rally 2
Pos. | Rider | Num | Nation | Team | Time/Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | KNUIMAN Jeremy | 81 | NDL | Xraids Experience | 3:07.3 |
2 | DRDAJ Dusan | 18 | CZE | Cajdasrot | + 00:01 |
3 | SANTOS Bruno | 35 | POR | BS FRUTAS PATRICIA PILAR | + 00:01 |
4 | PELLICER Alfredo | 50 | SPA | Xraids Experience | + 00:02 |
5 | THERIC Neels | 66 | FRA | Kove Factory Racing | + 00:04 |
6 | CAMPBELL Preston | 85 | USA | Honda HRC | + 00:05 |
7 | ESCOFET Marti | 49 | SPA | Joyride Race Service | + 00:06 |
8 | MULEC Toni | 16 | SLO | BAS World KTM Racing Team | + 00:07 |
9 | SIMÃO Micael | 8 | POR | Xraids Experience | + 00:08 |
10 | ZOLDOS Thomas | 56 | FRA | Aub'Moto | + 00:12 |
11 | VENTURA Martim | 84 | POR | Honda HRC | + 00:13 |
