Baja Portalegre: Barreto and Fiúza win after Ferreira's error
The newsroomUpdated on October 18, 20264 minFrancisco Barreto and Paulo Fiúza win the 40th Baja Portalegre 500 after favourite João Ferreira left the road. Results and where the Baja Cups stand.
Key point
Francisco Barreto and Paulo Fiúza won the 40th Baja Portalegre 500 on 17 October 2026, after favourite João Ferreira left the road on the second stage.
Francisco Barreto and Paulo Fiúza won the Baja Portalegre 500 in Portugal on Saturday 17 October 2026. In the event's 40th edition the turning point came early: the big favourite João Ferreira, leader after the first stage, made a mistake a few kilometres into the second.
A decisive second stage
On Friday, Ferreira and co-driver Filipe Palmeiro (Toyota Hilux Evo) had dominated the first stage, ahead of Luís Cidade (Can-Am) and Ricardo Porém (Taurus Evo Max). On Saturday, in the 172.08 km second stage, Ferreira left the road and landed in a deep ditch. The gearbox was damaged; the driver took full responsibility for the mistake.
Barreto set the fastest time on that stage, 1 min 22.8 s ahead of Gonçalo Guerreiro. In the 186.18 km final stage he set only the third-fastest time, but that was enough: Porém was fastest, 1 min 25.5 s ahead of Cidade, but he had lost almost thirteen minutes in the second stage, ending his bid for a record-equalling fifth Portalegre win.
Final classification
- 1st: Francisco Barreto / Paulo Fiúza;
- 2nd: Gonçalo Guerreiro / Pablo Moreno (Polaris), 3 min 09.9 s behind, SSV winners;
- 3rd: Pedro Carvalho / Romeu Martins (Polaris);
- 4th: Luís Cidade;
- 5th: Daniel Silva / Gonçalo Magalhães (MMP), Challenger winners.
For Barreto and Fiúza it is the second major win of the season, after the Italian Baja.
The Baja Cups
Dutch pair Mitchel van den Brink and Bart van Heun finished eighth, the best Dutch crew. As the only Challenger entrants in the World Baja Cup in Portugal, they took the class win in that championship. Erik van Loon finished well ahead of his direct SSV rivals, good news for the rest of the World Cup, whose final rounds are in Qatar and the UAE.
In the European Baja Cup, Marek Kubiczek (15th) strengthened his Challenger lead after rival Dinis Rogeira dropped out. In SSV, Rúben Rodrigues (14th) finished more than ten minutes ahead of Paulo Rodrigues. The title will be decided in Hungary next month.
Key takeaway
A race turned upside down by one mistake: the favourite is out, and Barreto capitalises to confirm his season. Full World Baja Cup standings are not detailed in our sources; the final rounds will settle the winner.
The editorial team
Frequently asked questions
Who won the 2026 Baja Portalegre 500?
Portugal's Francisco Barreto and Paulo Fiúza, on Saturday 17 October 2026, in the 40th edition of the event.
What happened to João Ferreira?
The favourite, leader after the first stage, left the road a few kilometres into the second stage. His car landed in a deep ditch and the gearbox was damaged.
What is next for the Baja Cups?
The World Baja Cup finishes in Qatar and the UAE; the European Baja Cup title will be decided in Hungary next month.
Sources
- Rallytracks — Barreto wins Baja Portalegre after Ferreira's early mistake
- Rallytracks — Portuguese drivers set the pace on opening day
- FIA — Baja Cups resume with the Baja Portalegre 500
Written by the Karrazmotorsport newsroom, proofread before publication. For settings, always refer to your vehicle's manual. Our charter.
Newsletter · free
The Friday paddock
The essentials of motorsport, every Friday in your inbox. Free, one email a week.
Choose my categories
