Rain and mud, the most common ingredients of the Baja Portalegre 500, returned at the 26th edition, hindering the motorbike riders life particularly in the second half of the course, because the cars had already crossed this area. Starting in the first group, Hélder Rodrigues was quickly running isolated in front, a position he held until the final kilometers, where he was approached by António Maio, who had come left Portalegre nine minutes later than the Honda rider. The two finished the race together and Mario Patrão finished soon after, closing the race in second place.
António Maio fulfill perfectly drawn tactics for this race, which was started further back, to be able to control the pace of the opponents. The Yamaha rider had intended for this edition of the Baja Portalegre 500 win for the fifth time, third consecutive, and become the new record holder. "I'm very pleased. I wanted to make history in this race, at least for now, and got it. I decided to start behind my biggest rival, Mario Patrão, but after 20 or 30 kilometres I picked him. Then I relaxed a little and put a comfortable pace, which allowed me to get in first without risk. The second half of the course was very difficult due to the mud and to cars already there have passed, but I managed to amuse me that it was something that I wanted", said the now five-time winner of the Baja Portalegre 500.
For Mario Patrão, the challenge in Portalegre was different. The goal of the Suzuki rider was to get to the national title, so more than win was mandatory to finish. "I ended up doing a quiet race and stick to my goal. I had to finish in the top ten to be champion and this has been achieved, although during the race I always be an eerie feeling that you want to go faster, but knowing that I could not take risks", said the Portuguese champion.
Entering Portalegre, but already with his mind in the Dakar race, Hélder Rodrigues ran almost the entire race alone, but with a pace that could have allowed him to get the victory. "I rode quickly, especially to the first service, but is more tiring to ride alone and opening the track. I am pleased to have been third, fulfill the objectives outlined, of course I'd like to win, but at this point I cannot put into question my presence in the Dakar", explained the Honda rider on his arrival.