Monster Energy Honda HRC rider Martim Ventura continues to impress on his first Sertões campaign, taking his second stage victory of the rally on Friday and moving into second place in the overall motorcycle classification with just two days remaining.
Stage 6 took the competitors from Minaçu to Niquelândia, in the state of Goiás, covering 448 kilometres in total, including 319 kilometres of timed special. The route was one of the most demanding of the 34th edition of the Sertões, combining technical navigation with large sections of fesh-fesh — a fine, powder-like dust — as well as mountainous terrain.
Riding the Honda CRF 450 RX Rally, Ventura delivered a strong and consistent performance throughout the stage. The Portuguese rider completed the special in 5h01m47s, taking the overall stage victory and further strengthening his position at the front of the Moto 2 classification.
The result moves Ventura into second place overall, with a total time of 31h 10m 39s, just 22 minutes and 54 seconds behind the overall leader. He also continues to lead Moto 2 by more than one hour and 30 minutes over his closest rival in the category.
Martim Ventura : « It was a good day, with a lot of mountains and fesh-fesh. The terrain was very difficult, technical and tiring. I didn’t have any problems, and finally I was able to enter the special and ride at my own pace and maintain a good rhythm, although I’m feeling very tired. »
The sixth stage marked another important step forward for Ventura, who has adapted quickly to the demanding Brazilian terrain since the start of his Sertões debut. With six stages completed, he has already secured multiple stage victories and remains firmly in contention for a strong overall result.
The penultimate stage of the 2026 Sertões takes place on Saturday, travelling from Niquelândia to Goianésia in Goiás. The stage will cover 345 kilometres, including 279 kilometres of timed special, with narrow and winding tracks and numerous rocky sections expected to provide another technical challenge.
The rally will conclude on Sunday in Goiânia after eight stages and more than 4,000 kilometres, including 2,611 kilometres of timed competition.
With only two days remaining, Ventura enters the final part of the Sertões in second overall and firmly in control of the Moto 2 classification, looking to finish his first Brazilian rally on a high.
Martim Ventura #84 : « Stage 6 went well. It was probably the most technical stage we’ve done so far here at the Sertões, with a lot of difficult terrain, but everything went well for me. I didn’t have any problems, I found my rhythm and was able to ride at my own pace.
« The truth is that I’m already quite far ahead in the Moto 2 classification, so now I just want to keep having good days and focus on doing my best. It was a very difficult day, but I stayed calm and everything worked well.
« I also want to use these last days to train as much as possible for the World Championship in Morocco, which is getting closer and closer. I want to keep improving day by day, make good progress and learn as much as I can.
« There are two more days to go, so the goal is to have two good and safe stages and finish the rally strongly. »