Guillaume de Mevius and Tosha Schareina emerged as champions in the car and bike categories, respectively, in the 40th edition of Baja España Aragón. They both delivered dominant performances throughout the weekend.
In the cars category, the Belgian driver Guillaume de Mevius, racing for Overdrive Racing in a Toyota Hilux Overdrive with co-driver Mathieu Baumel, completed a perfect weekend by securing his first victory in Teruel. He clocked the third-fastest time in the final special stage of the race.
Guillaume de Mevius remarked, “It’s a very important victory for me, and I’m very happy. I hope it’s the first victory of many.”
The overall podium in the cars category was completed by Lithuanian Rokas Baciuska and co-driver Oriol Vidal, also racing a Toyota Hilux for Overdrive Racing, and Portuguese Joao Ferreira, driving a Mini John Cooper Works Rally Plus for X-Raid Mini JCW Team co-driven Filipe Palmeiro.
Yazeed Al-Rajhi and co-driver Timo Gottschalk, of Overdrive Racing, driving a Toyota Hilux were the fastest in the third special stage. After resolving the mechanical issues he faced in the previous stage, he won the last 162 kilometers of the race.
It was a heartbreaking moment for Mathieu Serradori of SRT Racing, driving a Century CR6 with co-driver Loic Minaudier. Serradori experienced a severe setback due to broken steering at the beginning of Saturday's first stage. Despite their efforts to repair the car, they were unable to fix it. However, they managed to get the car running for the Sunday stage, showcasing their resilience and determination.
In the bikes category, Monster Energy Honda rider Tosha Schareina continued his winning streak by claiming his third consecutive Baja Aragón rally-raid victory. Competing on a Honda CRF450 Rally, Schareina maintained his exceptional form over three days of intense racing on the dusty tracks of Teruel.
Schareina outpaced young KTM Spain 'rookie' Edgar Canet, who rode a KTM 450 Rally, and Sherco TVS Factory Rally rider Lorenzo Santolino, who competed on a Sherco 450 SEF Rally.
Schareina's triumph marks a significant achievement in the FIM Bajas World Cup series, reinforcing his status as a top contender in rally-raid competitions.
In the Challenge category, Eryk Goczal and Oriol Mena secured victory with the Taurus, followed by Ghislain de Mevius and Nasser Al-Attiyah.
In the SSV World Cup classification, Gonçalo Guerreiro and José Sa, driving a Polaris, triumphed with a lead of over ten minutes ahead of Ruben Rodrigues and Rui Paulo, also in a Polaris. Paul Severin and Max Delfino finished third, also driving a Polaris.
In the Spanish Cross Country Rally Championship, Nani Roma and Álex Haro, driving a Ford Ranger T1+ for Past Racing, claimed victory with a lead of over eleven minutes. They were followed by João Dias and Pedro Re in a G Rally OT3. Eduard Pons and Jaume Betriú took third place, driving a Taurus.
Martin Macik achieved his fifth victory in the truck category of Baja España Aragón, dominating the weekend. Claudio Bellina finished second, while Richard de Groot completed the podium.
The 40th edition of Baja España Aragón, held from July 26-28, 2024, in Teruel, Spain, saw remarkable performances and a fierce competition. This edition featured a more challenging route with rugged terrains and varied weather conditions, which tested the endurance and skill of all participants.
The rally attracted top international teams and drivers, making it one of the most competitive editions in recent years. The event was also notable for the participation of various classes, including cars, bikes, trucks, and SSVs, showcasing the diversity and excitement of cross-country rallying.
The organizers of Baja España Aragón received praise for their meticulous planning and execution of the event, ensuring safety and providing an exhilarating experience for both participants and spectators.
With stunning landscapes, challenging stages, and remarkable sportsmanship, the 40th edition of Baja España Aragón set a high standard for future editions of this prestigious rally.
