Honda HRC’s Crivilin wins 34th running of the Sertões Petrobras rally in Brazil, teammate Ventura 2nd

Celebration was at a premium for Monster Energy/Honda HRC Rally’s newest team member, Bruno Crivilin, as the Brazilian stepped up over the last eight days to win the 34th running of the legendary Sertões Petrobras rally run in front of his countrymen through the heart of South American country.

And right there on the rostrum rung one step below Crivilin, in 2nd place overall, was Monster Energy/Honda HRC Rally’s Portugues ace, Martim Ventura, giving Monster Energy the 1-2 finish – although a 1st/2nd/3rd finish was in the order, with teammate and defending Sertões Petrobras champ Tosha Schareina figuring in on the podium… had he not smashed into a cow.

But it would be Crivilin’s moment to win as he tells his story:

“Today we completed the last of the eight stages of the Sertões. It was a very tough race: eight days over four thousand kilometers, waking up many times before 2 or 3 a.m. in the morning. I’m very happy to have won, I took three of the eight specials (stages), led the rally from the fourth stage, and secured the overall title in the Moto 1 category. In this final stage (Sunday), we went through a big challenge, and I have to thank Martim Ventura immensely. He towed me for 80 kilometers to the end of the special.
 

“This victory is his as well. That’s what shows the strength of having teammates, we’re always safe. And the day he needs it - I’ll be there for him, too. Today Honda won in Brazil, we are Sertões champions, and now we move on to the next challenge."

For the runner-up Ventura, the penultimate Stage 7 would prove to be the turning point for the race as he led coming into the stage – and left trailing Crivilin.
 

“I lost my front brake, and had two big scares following the front brake issue,” explained Ventura. “No brake as all. Started to think about the main goal. To arrive healthy. I lost the lead in the last 60 kilometers I had a pretty good (overall) lead, but that’s what it is. Kind of sad to not win the stage today (Saturday). It was such beautiful stage at the end and I didn’t win. But it is what it is. I’m happy for Bruno. And I’m happy for the team, making everything we can do be at a good level. Doing the best we can every day. And that’s what matters. Sometimes we put the pieces together, some times we don’t. But I’m happy with that.”

For Schareina, who was forced to leave the race due to his crash, the good news is he’s fine. As (reportedly) was the cow. 

Said Schareina: “Today (Stage 4) was not a good day. Dude (cow) was so big. I couldn’t stop the bike and I crashed with the front wheel, and then directly into the cow. I have a big bang on my leg and one finger that maybe is dislocated, but not broken.” 

Schareina flew immediately back to Spain to begin his recovery process before the next FIM World Rally-Raid Championship round – the Ultimate BP Rally-Raid Portugal, Sept. 21-26.

Sertoes Petrobras Rally Overall (through 8 of 8 stages)

1st – Bruno Crivilin (Monster/Honda), 37:10.43
2nd – Martim Ventura Monster/Honda), 37:35.04

Up next… 

FIM World Rally-Raid Championship round – the Ultimate BP Rally-Raid Portugal – is set for Sept. 21-26.