After claiming victory in the Rally 2 prologue, Martim Ventura returned to the top step on stage three today to reclaim the overall lead at the Desafío Ruta 40.
The Monster Energy Honda HRC Rally 2 riders have dominated the event so far, with Ventura setting the pace in the prologue before Bruno Crivilin and Preston Campbell each secured their maiden World Rally-Raid Cup stage victories earlier in the week.
At the halfway point of the rally, stage three presented riders with a long and punishing challenge. The demanding 408 km special featured dry riverbeds, towering dunes and rugged mountain tracks, testing competitors both mentally and physically, while freezing temperatures added another layer of difficulty.
Ventura spent much of the day locked in a fierce battle for the stage win with Toni Mulec, his rival in the World Rally-Raid Cup standings. Despite struggling at times in the Nihuil dunes, the Portuguese rider stayed composed and delivered a strong finish to claim victory by nearly a minute. In doing so, he also took back the overall rally lead from Campbell with just two stages remaining.
Bruno Crivilin once again showed impressive pace, remaining inside the top three throughout the stage. The Brazilian excelled on the fast tracks and flowing terrain and although he couldn’t quite challenge Ventura for the win, he crossed the line just under two minutes behind in third place. Crivilin now sits second overall, just 2’14 adrift of his teammate.
Following his breakthrough stage win yesterday, Preston Campbell remained in the top four for most of the day before a tablet malfunction cost him valuable time. The American lost around ten minutes due to the issue and now drops to third overall, 7’48 behind Ventura, with Mulec closing in rapidly just 50 seconds behind him.
Stage four promises another brutal challenge as riders climb to elevations of more than 3,000 metres above sea level while traversing the winding Mendoza mountains on the route back to San Juan. With a total distance of 634 km awaiting competitors, the penultimate stage is expected to push both riders and machines to their limits before they return to the bivouac.
Ruben Faria – General Manager : « Another strong day for Martim, who once again showed great pace and consistency throughout the stage. He managed the conditions really well and continues to perform at a very high level in this rally.
« For Bruno, today was his first real experience riding in the dunes. It was something completely new for him and a big surprise, as he is not used to this type of terrain, but he handled the situation very well. Despite the challenge, he finished third on the stage and now sits second overall, which is a very positive result considering the circumstances.
« Preston had an issue with the switch´s roadbook during the stage, which caused him to lose quite an important amount of time in the dunes. He also got lost in one section with very difficult navigation, but these things are part of rally raid and tomorrow he will try to recover as much time as possible.
« Tomorrow we return to San Juan for another long and demanding stage. This area in Argentina is always tricky, with difficult terrain and navigation, so it will be another important day for the team. »
Bruno Crivilin #69 – Stage: 3rd Overall: 2nd : « It was a big stage today. It was really nice and it was a good stage for me also. The first 200 km I didn’t push too much. For the second part, which was more WRC-style which for me is best, it was so fast at times. I’m feeling good, the bike is working well as is the team and so I’m happy. Let’s go for stage four. »
Martim Ventura #84 – Stage: 1st Overall: 1st : « It was a big stage with different terrain. The dunes in the morning were super hard for me, I didn’t quite get my feeling for them. In the hard pack I got into a rhythm, however, I made some mistakes and wanted to get some time back there. I was quite calm and quick to recover from them, but they took some time. I have to be happy. I want more, it’s on the technical days that we need to be very technical, it’s not like Morocco or Saudi Arabia where you can be more open. »
Preston Campbell #85 – Stage: 4th Overall: 3rd : « It started off in the dunes, it was going OK, but I had some tablet problems halfway, but then got those figured out at the neutralisation. The dunes are more grey-brown, kind of a different colour sand and I was having some fun this morning. I made it to the finish today, nothing too special, but just two more days to go. »
1. Ventura Martim (POR) – Honda HRC, 04:33:26
2. Mulec Toni (SLO) – BAS World KTM Racing Team, + 00:55
3. Crivilin Bruno (BRA) – Honda HRC, + 01:56
4. Campbell Preston (USA) – Honda HRC, + 10:05
5. Pellicer Alfredo (SPA) – Xraids Experience, + 13:46
6. Herrera Ried Benjamín (CHI) – Xraids Experience, + 22:25
7. Pascual Jeremías (ARG) – Kove Argentina, + 25:18
8. Duplessis Diego Martin (ARG) – Fantic By Med Racing Team, + 25:47
9. Escofet Marti (SPA) – Joyride Race Service, + 39:25
10. Rostan Juan Santiago (ARG) – Xraids Experience, + 44:19
Result – Stage 3
Rider Standings
Provisional Rally 2 Standings after Stage 3
1. Ventura Martim (POR) – Honda HRC, 10:21:47
2. Crivilin Bruno (BRA) – Honda HRC, + 02:14
3. Campbell Preston (USA) – Honda HRC, + 07:48
4. Mulec Toni (SLO) – BAS World KTM Racing Team, + 08:38
5. Pellicer Alfredo (SPA) – Xraids Experience, + 20:56
6. Herrera Ried Benjamín (CHI) – Xraids Experience, + 45:06
7. Pascual Jeremías (ARG) – Kove Argentina, + 52:23
8. Duplessis Diego Martin (ARG) – Fantic By Med Racing Team, + 01:09:30
9. Escofet Marti (SPA) – Joyride Race Service, + 01:25:31
10. De Gavardo Tomás (CHI) – De Gavardo Team, + 01:43:47