– Nacho in top-10 overall
Hero MotoSports Team Rally, the motorsport team of the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters – Hero MotoCorp, has successfully completed the fourth stage at the Ultimate BP Rally Raid Portugal, the fourth round of the 2025 FIM World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC), carrying strong momentum.
Tobias Ebster, delivered the 12th fastest time of the day, while his teammate Nacho Cornejo followed closely at 13th place. Meanwhile, in the Rally2 category, Tobias secured 6th place in his class. After the end of Stage 4, Nacho has now broken into the overall Top-10 rankings and is aiming to close the rally with a strong finish.
Stage 4 proved to be an enjoyable one for Nacho, featuring faster stretches than previous days. The Chilean rider felt increasingly confident on his Hero 450 Rally bike and expressed optimism at the end of the day, despite the rain in Lisbon.
Tobias, too, wrapped up the day on a positive note. The Austrian youngster started the stage at a quick pace, before a near crash situation forced him to back off and bring his bike home safely. Despite this, Tobias enjoyed the stage and highlighted it as a confidence boost ahead of the final race of the season in Morocco.
Tobias, too, wrapped up the day on a positive note. The Austrian youngster started the stage at a quick pace, before a near crash situation forced him to back off and bring his bike home safely. Despite this, Tobias enjoyed the stage and highlighted it as a confidence boost ahead of the final race of the season in Morocco.
Earlier in the week, Tobias had started the rally strong, but a mechanical issue dropped him down the overall standings. While these setbacks have ruled the current Rally2 Championship leader out of overall contention, his determination to finish strong remains undeterred.
Earlier in the week, Tobias had started the rally strong, but a mechanical issue dropped him down the overall standings. While these setbacks have ruled the current Rally2 Championship leader out of overall contention, his determination to finish strong remains undeterred.
Stage 4 covered 528 km between Badajoz in Spain and Lisbon, Portugal, including 274 km against the clock, and 254 km of road sections. The brand-new special was a dirt-and-gravel challenge, marked by narrow gates, bridges, irrigation channels, and rocks hidden beneath grass. Riders are now more accustomed to the terrain, but the final stretches proved to be slippery and demanding. The stage concluded with the bivouac set up at Docapesca em Pedrouços, on the banks of the Tejo river mouth, where it meets the Atlantic Ocean.
The rally will culminate on Sunday with Stage 5, a 287 km loop around Lisbon featuring 103 km of timed special. The final tracks will wind through eucalyptus-lined sand trails before leading competitors to a grand podium ceremony at the Monument to the Discoveries (Padrão dos Descobrimentos), celebrating Portuguese navigators. With Lisbon once serving as the Dakar Rally’s starting point from 2006 to 2008, its return as a host city marks a historic moment for the W2RC, drawing massive crowds to witness the conclusion of the rally.
Tobias Ebster, Rider, Hero MotoSports Team Rally: « Stage 4 is done and we arrived in Lisbon completely soaked after heavy rain. The day started well – I could push and ride at a good pace. Then I had a big moment where I almost crashed, so I decided to back off and just bring it safely to the finish. Still, I enjoyed the stage, felt good on the bike, and it’s a nice confidence boost ahead of Morocco. Tomorrow is the last stage – hopefully without more rain. See you all! »
Nacho Cornejo, Rider, Hero MotoSports Team Rally: « Stage 4 here at Rally Raid Portugal was really fun – a bit faster than the previous days, and I enjoyed riding my Hero 450 Rally. Towards the end, I felt comfortable on the bike. Lisbon welcomed us with some rain, so let’s see how tomorrow goes. Thanks to everyone for the support – we’ll keep giving our best until the finish. »
Stage 04 – Provisional Rankings
1. Daniel Sanders, Redbull KTM Racing Team, 02h 26m 52m
2. Tosha Schareina, Monster Energy Honda Team, + 04m 54s
3. Luciano Benavides, Redbull KTM Racing Team, + 05m 11s
12. Tobias Ebster, Hero MotoSports Team Rally, + 10m 50s
13. Nacho Cornejo, Hero MotoSports Team Rally, + 11m 32s
Overall Provisional Rankings after Stage 04
1. Daniel Sanders, Redbull KTM Racing Team, 11h 39m 36m
2. Tosha Schareina, Monster Energy Honda Team, + 03m 12s
3. Luciano Benavides, Redbull KTM Racing Team, + 12m 51s
10. Nacho Cornejo, Hero MotoSports Team Rally, + 49m 17s
42. Tobias Ebster, Hero MotoSports Team Rally, + 23h 27m 30s
Stage 04 – Provisional Rankings (Rally2 Class)
1. Martim Ventura, Honda HRC, 02h 33m 43s
2. Bruno Santos, BS Frutas Patricia Pilar, + 00m 11s
3. Edgar Canet, Redbull KTM Racing Team, + 01m 16s
6. Tobias Ebster, Hero MotoSports Team Rally, + 03m 59s
Overall Provisional Rankings after Stage 04 (Rally2 Class)
1. Edgar Canet, Redbull KTM Racing Team, 12h 01m 33s
2. Bruno Santos, BS Frutas Patricia Pilar, + 04m 52s
3. Michael Docherty, BAS World KTM Team, + 07m 56s
25. Tobias Ebster, Hero MotoSports Team Rally, + 23h 05m 33s