Portugal has established itself as a major rally-raid nation, driven by its demanding terrain and by riders who excel at the highest level. Those currently performing in the W2RC –Joao Ferreira (Toyota Gazoo Racing SA), Alexandre Pinto (Odyssey Academy by BBR), Martim Ventura (Monster Energy Honda HRC), among others– are the heirs to a long line of world-class champions, including Carlos Sousa, Paulo Gonçalves, and Hélder Rodrigues. Today, the country confirms this status by hosting leading events such as the bp Ultimate Rally-Raid Portugal, following in the footsteps of the Dakar’s historic visits.
A History forged in the desert
Portuguese competitors have accompanied the development of modern rally-raid, joining the Dakar caravan as early as the first editions in the 1980s. Hailing from Vila Nova de Famalicao, motorcyclist Paulo Marques opened the path to success by becoming the first Portuguese rider to win a stage. It happened on January 18, 1997, during the 14th stage between Kiffa (Mauritania) and Saint-Louis (Senegal). Three years later, Carlos Sousa secured the first of six Portuguese stage wins in cars. All six were claimed by the famous driver from Almada, who had 18 Dakar appearances. His 4th place overall in 2003 remains the best result ever achieved by a Portuguese driver.
While Sousa thrilled fans on four wheels, an exceptional generation of riders emerged at the same time in the 2000s. Lisbon native Bernardo Vilar picked up the baton from Marques by winning a stage in 2002, before the breakthrough of a major figure: Ruben Faria. In addition to his key role as Cyril Despres’ water carrier with KTM, the rider from Olhao took four stage victories, including one on home soil in Portimao (2007), on the same day as Sousa. His 2nd place overall at the 2013 Dakar remains the best result ever achieved by a Portuguese bike rider. That performance was matched two years later by the late Paulo Gonçalves, who rode for factory teams in KTM, Honda, or Hero. The national record for stage victories belongs to another Lisbon native, Hélder Rodrigues, who won nine stages and finished 3rd overall in 2011 and 2012. The former Yamaha, KTM, and Honda rider now continues the adventure in SSV, where he competes against fellow Portuguese drivers (see A promising future below).
The list of Portuguese figures who shaped rally-raid history should not be limited to stage winners. Other personalities played a decisive role in the sport’s development. José Megre deserves special mention as a major builder who helped structure Portugal’s presence on the international scene. In addition to his Dakar participations with 4x4s from the national brand UMM, this founding figure of Portuguese off-road racing was behind the creation of several events, including the Baja Portalegre 500. Elisabete Jacinto was also a pioneer through her role in opening the sport to women. Her entries in bikes and later in trucks, along with her victories and podium finishes around the world, helped build the legend of this former geography teacher, who later became involved in the promotion and education of rally-raid, notably through the publication of books.
Portuguese World Champions
Founded in 2022, the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) has seen Portuguese competitors involved since its creation. Their strong presence once again reflects a long-standing tradition: Portuguese competitors were already part of the caravans of previous world championships for cars and bikes, now united under the W2RC banner. In fact, Portuguese competitors have written some of the greatest chapters in the history of these competitions.
Sousa won the 2003 FIA Cross-Country Rally World Cup, in addition to taking bronze medals in 2001 and 2004. In bikes, Rodrigues became the first Portuguese 450cc world champion in 2011, before Gonçalves repeated the performance two years later. It was not the first FIM title for Portugal, as Ricardo Leal dos Santos had already won the inaugural Quad World Cup in 2005. Following in their footsteps, Alexandre Pinto and Bernardo Oliveira delivered Portugal’s first two W2RC titles, dominating the SSV drivers’ and navigators’ championships in 2025. They achieved this under the colors of the Old Friends Rally Team, a structure based in Guimaraes that has supported many Portuguese competitors on both two and four wheels.
The W2RC Generation
Pinto is one of the nine Portuguese competitors to have won W2RC stages since 2022. In doing so, he has contributed to the country’s total of 57 victories across the various categories, making Portugal the 7th most successful nation in the history of the championship. The tally was opened by Hero factory rider Joaquim Rodrigues (RallyGP) during the fourth special of the W2RC, at the 2022 Dakar, and it has continued to grow ever since (see Portuguese W2RC stage winners below).
The SSV category has become a Portuguese stronghold: with 38 stage wins, the country largely dominates the standings ahead of Poland (26) and Lithuania (22). Pinto (20 victories) has been the most prolific contributor, but he is joined by Joao Ferreira (13), Joao Monteiro (3), and Mario Franco (2). The Challenger class has also seen victories from Ferreira and Gonçalo Guerreiro. Portuguese competitors are also among the few to have won stages in all three FIM two-wheel categories: Rodrigues in RallyGP, Martim Ventura in Rally2, brothers Gonçalo and Salvador Amaral in Rally3. With every new round, the green-and-red flag increasingly appears at the top of the standings.
A promising future
Building on a rich historical legacy, and energized by hosting a world championship round at home, Portuguese competitors are not only shaping the present of the championship; they are also building its future. Ferreira embodies the success of the W2RC pathway as one of only three drivers to have won stages in SSV, Challenger, and Ultimate. Now a Toyota Gazoo Racing SA factory driver, the Leiria native developed through the FIA’s learning categories, before reaching the top-tier Ultimate class. He is paving the way for fellow countrymen, including 2025 SSV champion Pinto. On the bikes side, the next generation is also preparing to step up. Monster Energy Honda HRC has placed its trust in rising star Ventura to shine in Rally2, under the guidance of his compatriot Ruben Faria, now converted into a team manager.
All these riders will line up at the start of the next bp Ultimate Rally-Raid Portugal, created in 2024 specifically for the W2RC. The event is the latest example of Portugal’s status as a host of iconic off-road competitions. The race follows a long tradition of international events organized on Portuguese soil, including the Dakar. Lisbon hosted the starts of the 2006 and 2007 editions, while Portimão served as a stage city on four occasions. The capital has already welcomed the bp Ultimate Rally-Raid Portugal, while the 2026 edition will explore the Algarve region, starting on March 17. And with 18 Portuguese competitors entered in the W2RC side, the country’s tracks will once again provide the stage for the emergence of new talents.
Portuguese W2RC stage winners:
- Alexandre Pinto : 20 victories (SSV x20)
- Joao Ferreira : 18 victories (Ultimate x2, Challenger x3, SSV x13)
- Gonçalo Amaral : 4 victories (Rally3 x4)
- Gonçalo Guerreiro : 3 victories (Challenger x3)
- Joao Monteiro : 3 victories (SSV x3)
- Martim Ventura : 3 victories (Rally2 x3)
- Salvador Amaral : 3 victories (Rally3 x3)
- Mario Franco : 2 victories (SSV x2)
- Joaquim Rodrigues : 1 victory (RallyGP x1)
