Barreto and Simão Crowned Champions in Portalegre

Francisco Barreto claims his maiden victory in the car category, Micael Simão secures his second consecutive win in the motorcycle category, and Portalegre crowns new winners across the main categories.
17 outubro 2026

Barreto and Simão Crowned Champions in Portalegre

UMM, Pajero ou Navara, estes são modelos que deixaram a sua marca na Baja Portalegre 500 e, para assinalar a 40ª edição da prova, o Automóvel Club de Portugal reune alguns dos todo-o-terreno mais emblemáticos com participação no evento alentejano, numa exposição que é uma verdadeira viagem no tempo.
No coração do parque de assistência, a exposição aberta ao público destaca várias décadas de carros e motos que fazem parte do folclore da prova. Desde logo, o Mitsubishi Pajero que participou na Baja Sagres 500 Portalegre, em 1994, com Carlos Sousa e Teles Forte, e em 1995 tripulado por Adriano Barbosa e José Gonçalves.
Em 2006 a Baja Portalegre 500 foi vencida por Marc Blázquez e Jordi Mercader, ao volante da Nissan Motorsport Navara Dakar que havia sido pilotada por Kenjiro Shinozuka no Rali Dakar em 2003, e na qual o japonês teve o acidente que o deixou fora de prova. Totalmente restaurado, o carro é outro das atrações desta exposição.

Francisco Barreto and Paulo Fiúza claim their maiden victory, Micael Simão secures back-to-back wins, Tomás Paulo dominates the quads, and Gonçalo Guerra and André Lopes triumph in the SSV category.

The 40th edition of the bp Ultimate Baja Portalegre 500 took place in summer-like temperatures. Francisco Barreto and Paulo Fiúza (Toyota Hilux EVO) won the car category, while Micael Simão (KTM 500 EXC) repeated his 2025 victory in the motorcycle category. In the quads, Tomás Paulo (Yamaha YFZ450R) was the undisputed winner. In the SSV category, Gonçalo Guerra and André Lopes (Polaris RZR Pro R) secured the first victory of their careers.

In the car category, the second selective section decided the race. Yesterday’s overnight leader, João Ferreira, crashed at kilometre five, damaging the gearbox of his Hilux. Luís Cidade (BRP Can-Am Maverick R), who inherited the lead, lost around ten minutes in a stream crossing, allowing the ever-attacking Francisco Barreto to move into first place and maintain his pace through the final section.

“This last stage was extremely difficult, with nerves running high. This is our first victory in Portalegre, a dream for any Portuguese driver,” said Barreto.

Gonçalo Guerreiro and Pablo Moreno (Polaris RZR Pro R), winners of the Auto SSV category, finished second, with Pedro Carvalho and Romeu Martins (Polaris RZR Pro R) taking third.

In the national event, Lino and Fábio Carapeta (Ford Ranger) claimed victory, ahead of Johan and Yvet Senders and Richard Timmerman and Lucas Van Geest, both crews competing in Toyota Hilux vehicles.

Simão Leads on All Fronts

UMM, Pajero ou Navara, estes são modelos que deixaram a sua marca na Baja Portalegre 500 e, para assinalar a 40ª edição da prova, o Automóvel Club de Portugal reune alguns dos todo-o-terreno mais emblemáticos com participação no evento alentejano, numa exposição que é uma verdadeira viagem no tempo.
No coração do parque de assistência, a exposição aberta ao público destaca várias décadas de carros e motos que fazem parte do folclore da prova. Desde logo, o Mitsubishi Pajero que participou na Baja Sagres 500 Portalegre, em 1994, com Carlos Sousa e Teles Forte, e em 1995 tripulado por Adriano Barbosa e José Gonçalves.
Em 2006 a Baja Portalegre 500 foi vencida por Marc Blázquez e Jordi Mercader, ao volante da Nissan Motorsport Navara Dakar que havia sido pilotada por Kenjiro Shinozuka no Rali Dakar em 2003, e na qual o japonês teve o acidente que o deixou fora de prova. Totalmente restaurado, o carro é outro das atrações desta exposição.

In the motorcycle category, Micael Simão claimed his second consecutive victory and took the lead in the national cross-country rally championship. Bernardo Megre (KTM EXC 450), cautious after retiring in Reguengos, finished second. Nélson Cunha (Kawasaki KX450X) moved up to third following Gustavo Gaudêncio’s crash.

“It was extremely hot, and the final section, which the cars had already passed through, was badly damaged. I maintained a good pace without taking risks or crashing. This victory is the culmination of the effort my team and I have put in this year,” said Simão.

In the quad category, Tomás Paulo led from start to finish, ahead of Luís Fernandes (Yamaha YFZ450R) and Tiago Teixeira (Can-Am Renegade XXC 1000).

“I won here last year. This year was very tough, with a lot of dust, but that’s part of cross-country rallying,” he commented.

Consistent from start to finish, Gonçalo Guerra and André Lopes took advantage of the mechanical retirement of “Beto” Borrego and Domingos Cunha to claim their first victory. Pedro Pinha and Joaquim Dias (Polaris RZR Pro R) finished second, while André Rodrigues and Ricardo Porto Nunes (Segway Super Villain 2.0 T) completed the podium.

“I’ve finally won a Portalegre and finally won an event. It’s incredible — a feeling that’s impossible to describe,” said an emotional Guerra.

In the Mini Baja, the young riders demonstrated that the future of the discipline is in good hands: Francisco Porto Nunes, Manuel Cary and Joshua De Brion, all riding Yamaha YZ 125 motorcycles, made up the podium.

In the classic vehicle category, Gustavo Morais and Miguel Mora (Toyota Land Cruiser KZJ Rally Raid) took victory. In the UMM Trophy, João Couto and João Santos (UMM Alter Turbo) emerged as the winners.

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