Sep 12, 20224 min read

An intense dream: Sertões comes to an end.

The biggest rally in the world, in a single country, concludes in Pará a marathon of more than 7 thousand kilometers and 14 stages. Titles go to Lucas Moraes/Kaíque Bentivoglio (cars); Rodrigo Varela/Matheus Mazzei (UTV) and Bissinho Zavatti (motorcycles) enter the gallery of champions for the first time.

They got there. Sertões BRB and its competitors turned into reality, on the sands of Salinópolis (PA), the dream of marking the 30th anniversary of the race and the Bicentennial of Independence with the biggest rally in the world. After 15 days, 14 stages and 7,202 kilometers traversed by eight states of the five Brazilian regions, the beautiful view of the sea in one of the points in the extreme North of the country awarded the caravan, closed an adventure started in Foz do Iguaçu (PR) and crowned the winners of an epic edition.

"An intense dream: Sertões has come to an end! Crossing Brazil from south to north, in the year of the Bi-Centenary of Independence. Historic Edition marked 30 years of the Greatest Rally in the World!" said Joaquim Monteiro, CEO of Dunas Race

Until the arrival promotional ramp, there was still a stage, the 14th, called ‘Ao Som do Mar’, not without reason. With 126 kilometers in length, it alternated straight, locked and winding sections; erosions and was extremely quick and pleasurable. A gift to pilots and navigators, tested in a demanding way in the most varied conditions along the route. That's why everyone who received their medal is a winner. And they can be proud of having made history.

Among them, there were those who managed to combine in the best way speed, endurance and mental strength to enter the gallery of champions. Or, as in the case of Lucas Moraes and Kaique Bentivoglio (Toyota Hilux DKR T1+/MEM), repeat the feat. If in 2019 they were helped by circumstances, this time they showed already in the Super Prime that preceded the first stage that they would not let the opportunity slip away. They won 10 of the 14 stages and proved their best in the 11th, when Lucas was forced to accelerate the prototype made in Belgium for more than 200 kilometers without the help of the power steering. A second position in this Saturday's stage was more than enough to guarantee the party in Salinópolis.

"It's incredible to be able to win the thirtieth edition of Sertões, our family has a lot of tradition in this race, and we won the second championship in the year in which the rally was the biggest in the world. The result is not just ours: the team worked very well and gave us an impeccable car.” Lucas Moraes, Auto champion

On motorcycles, persistence and talent led Bissinho Zavatti (Honda CRF 450RX/Honda Racing) to an unprecedented achievement, much celebrated. The paulista had an impeccable rally, helped by equipment that did not suffer any problems during the 14 stages. Honda also secured the one-two overall, with Argentine Martin Duplessis in second.

"This is my tenth Sertões, and it came at the right time. It's the greatest happiness of my life. I realized that in previous years I had worked hard, but I couldn't focus 100%. This year I did everything I could; I adjusted my diet, the physical preparation, the training sessions, I lost 12kg and I felt really good from the start. Bissinho Zavatti, Moto Champion

The historic edition also reserved an unprecedented feat for a pilot whose history is intertwined with that of Sertões. The first woman to face the challenge on motorcycles, Moara Sacilotti (Yamaha WR 450F/Caminhos das Serras) also became the first champion, in the Moto Over category. With Laura Lopes, who competes for French Guiana, in second position.

In the UTVs, the Família da Poeira was the highlight. With Rodrigo Varela, alongside Matheus Mazzei, at the front. In such an extensive race, pilot and navigator consistently maintained their top positions at each stage and, in such a competitive modality, ensured a sufficient advantage to celebrate their first achievement. Vice-championship for Rodrigo Luppi and Maykel Justo (Can-Am Maverick/Luppi Racing Team), with five stage wins as a record.

“Very happy, without a doubt it was a great achievement for the team, our four cars in the top-10. I thank my family, everyone who cheered. It's amazing to be champion of the biggest rally in the world.” Rodrigo Varela, UTV champion

Final classification

CARS

1) #323 Lucas Moraes/Kaíque Bentivoglio, Toyota Hilux Overdrive T1+, (1)T1F, 47h45min46

2) #304 Marcos Baumgart/Kleber Cincea, Toyota Hilux IMA V8, (2)T1F, a 8min14

3) #350 Julio Capua/Bina Cavassin, Toyota Hilux Overdrive T1+, (3)T1F, a 2h20min47

4) #305 Marcelo Gastaldi/Cadu Sachs, Buggy Century CR6, (4)T1F, a 2h53min39

5) #303 Sylvio de Barros/Rafael Capoani, Toyota Hilux IMA V8, (5)T1F, a 4h00min43

MOTOS

1) #06 Bissinho Zavatti, Honda CRF 450RX, (1)MT2, 52h07min22

2) #21 Martin Duplessis (ARG), Honda CRF 450RX, (1)MT1, a 20min17

3) #04 Ricardo Martins, Yamaha WR 450F, (2)MT1, a 23min34

4) #19 Gabriel Soares, Honda CRF 450RX, (2)MT2, a 1h32min58