Monster Energy Honda HRC is set for a big push at Rally-Raid Portugal, the penultimate round of the World Rally-Raid Championship, running from 23–28 September.
The rally will see riders cover 2,367 kilometres across six demanding days, with 40% more timed special stages compared to the inaugural event in 2024. The action begins in Grândola, south of Lisbon, before heading east into Spain for stages two to four, where fast tracks and varied terrain are expected to test both skill and endurance. The competitors then return to Portugal for the closing stages, finishing in the heart of Lisbon.
Currently third in the World Rally-Raid Championship standings, Ricky Brabec comes into Portugal in fine form after podium finishes at both the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge and the South African Safari Rally. The 2020 and 2024 Dakar Rally winner has built consistent momentum and is eyeing victory in Portugal to keep his title hopes alive heading into the season finale.
Fourth in the standings, Adrien Van Beveren is looking to add to his 2025 Dakar podium and improve on his third-place finish at last year’s Portugal Rally. After undergoing wrist ligament surgery following the South Africa round, he has focused on his recovery and will be aiming for another solid points haul to climb the overall championship table.
Last year’s inaugural Portugal Rally winner, Tosha Schareina, is eager to repeat history, this time buoyed by home fans as the race crosses into Spain. After securing second place at Dakar and third in Abu Dhabi, his campaign was interrupted in South Africa by a hand injury that forced an early withdrawal. However, his recent victory at the Sertões Rally confirmed his return to full fitness, and he enters Portugal with confidence and determination.
A consistent challenger, Howes achieved a best result of fourth in Portugal in 2024. He is aiming to step onto the podium this year and close out the season with a strong showing aboard the Honda CRF450 RALLY on terrain he’s not used to, building momentum for 2026.
Monster Energy Honda HRC touched down in Portugal midway through last week, using the extra time to make final preparations ahead of the highly anticipated Rally Raid Portugal. The team put their Honda CRF450 RALLY machines through a productive shakedown test, ensuring everything was dialled in, before passing administrative checks and scrutineering at the Grândola bivouac today.
Competition officially gets underway on Tuesday afternoon with the prologue, a short but decisive 5 km sprint on gravel. While brief, the result will be crucial in determining the riders’ starting positions for stage one and could set the tone for six demanding days of racing across Portugal and Spain.
With enthusiastic crowds expected along the route and strong local support in both Portugal and Spain, Rally-Raid Portugal promises a dramatic and pivotal chapter in the World Rally-Raid Championship season.
Monster Energy Honda HRC enters the rally with clear ambitions: to fight for stage wins, secure maximum points and keep the team firmly in contention for the championship crown as the series heads toward its grand finale.
