As in the previous two years, the Algarve awoke to sunny skies at the end of November to host the third edition of the Monte Gordo Sand Race, the fifth and penultimate round of the FIM Sand Races World Championship.
Words and Images by Monte Gordo Sand Race
With thousands of spectators along the beach, the motorcycle competition was marked by a clear dominance of Englishman Todd Kellett, the World Championship leader, who, riding a Yamaha, prevailed over the Frenchmen Cyril Genot, Milko Potisek, and Jeremy Hauquier. This quartet completed 31 laps on a revamped track, one more than the four riders who followed in the standings on this first day of the Monte Gordo Sand Race. Paulo Alberto and Luis Outeiro, both on Yamahas, finished in the Top 10, being the first among the Portuguese riders. Damien Prevoto, Amandine Verstappen, and Evan Demeester were the winners respectively among the veterans, women, and juniors.
The first Quad race was won by Englishman Harry Walker on a Laeger’s bike, beating Frenchman Pablo Violet on a Yamaha, with Belgian Olivier Vandendijck on a Honda in third place. This trio completed 18 laps of a race that lasted an hour. Next in line were Belgians Dirk Schelfhout, winner among the veterans, and Glenn Swarte, both on Hondas, with the same number of laps. Diogo Campos on a Yamaha, in 11th place, was the best of the Portuguese delegation, followed by Paulo Fernandes and Luís Fernandes.
This event also featured the debut of the Yamaha/Mini Monte Gordo Sand Race Trophy, in which riders aged between 8 and 16 years old participated. In the Quad category, João Susano won in the Fun category and Rui Alves among the Beginners. In the motorcycle category, Duarte Marques won in the YZ85 and Edgar Póvoa among the YZ65.
The Monte Gordo Sand Race now moves on to the second and final day of competition with the two kids races starting at 11:30 am. The bikes will start at 1:45 pm and the quad at 3:30 pm. The final podium ceremony will take place at 5 pm.
The Monte Gordo Sand Race is a joint organization of the Vila Real de Santo António City Council and the Automobile Club of Portugal, under the auspices of the Portuguese Motorcycle Federation (FMP) and the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM).
Results
Solo Race
Mrace1Quad Race
Qrace1
