Gigglepin Onboard
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PROLOG
The Prologue: Baja Europe 2025 Roars to Life
With engines revving and adrenaline high, Baja Europe 2025 officially kicked off with the much-anticipated Prologue stage—an explosive prelude that set the tone for the intense competition ahead. Covering 9 kilometers of fast-paced, technical terrain, the Prologue was designed to test reflexes, handling, and the synergy between driver and machine, drawing enthusiastic crowds and energizing the bivouac with its electric atmosphere.
Set against the scenic backdrop of Żagań’s desert and forested landscape, the stage challenged competitors with tight corners, short straights, and sandy sections—perfect terrain to showcase the capabilities of both seasoned racers and determined newcomers. While the Prologue doesn’t carry heavy weight in overall rankings, it plays a strategic role in defining the starting order for Leg 1, making every second count.
The field delivered a thrilling performance, with many teams pushing hard from the first meter to secure a strong tactical position for the following day. From the nimble Enduro and ATV classes to the powerful SSVs, Cars, and Trucks, every category brought excitement and style to this dynamic opening chapter.
As the dust settled, one thing became clear: the competition is fierce, and the adventure has only just begun.
Baja Europe Prologue: Top 3 Finishers Across All Classes
The Baja Europe roared to life with a thrilling prologue stage in Żagań, offering competitors a first taste of the challenging terrain. From the nimble Enduro bikes to the formidable trucks, each class showcased intense competition. Here’s a breakdown of the top three finishers in each category, setting the stage for the exciting legs ahead.
In the Enduro class, young German rider Justin Gerlach, fresh from the Dakar Rally, was the fastest aboard his KTM FR 450 Rally, clocking a time of 00:09:22.46. He was followed in second place by Poland’s Marian Augustyn, just 12 seconds behind. Third place went to Dyon Van Wieringen from the Netherlands.
In the ATV class, the prologue was almost entirely dominated by Polish riders—a country with a strong tradition in this category. Today’s fastest was Adam Krysiak from the Polaris Polska Racing Team, finishing with a time of 00:09:13.81. Fellow Pole Karol Sługoćki came in second, trailing by two and a half minutes. Breaking up the Polish celebration was Christian Winter from Germany, who took third place.
Lithuania ruled the SSV class, sweeping the top three spots. Arunas Lekavicius and Andrius Liskus were the fastest of the prologue with a time of 00:07:50.83, followed just 22 seconds behind by Tomas Mickus and Darius Leskauskas, and another 9 seconds later by Aurimas Juodvalkis and Lukas Araminas.
In the Car class, multi-discipline champion and RBI Sport veteran Hardo Mere from Estonia, co-driven by Poland’s Piotr Kujawski, set the best time of 00:09:26.13. Just 4 seconds behind was long-time rally regular Frank Stensky from Germany, with co-driver Alexander Tasch. Third place went to the Dutch duo Jenne Jasper and Marijn Verbeek, who tackled the stage in their striking Bowler Nemesis.
Among the „giants“ of off-road, the trucks, the Netherlands came out on top. Marnix Leeuw, Roy Van Veenendaal, and Marco Siemons dominated the stage with their Ginaf X2222 EVO 2, finishing in 00:11:00.73, just 7 seconds ahead of Germans Tom Heuer, Marco Richter, and Christoph Tum in their Tatra 815. Third place went to fellow Germans Patrick Toepfer, Kevin Toepfer, and Danny Heyde driving a Mercedes Unimog.
Today was just a small taste of what Baja Europe has in store. Tomorrow, with Leg 1, the rally truly gets underway—promising surprises and thrilling moments of pure off-road action.
What’s Coming Next at the Baja Europe
After a thrilling Prologue, the rally heats up tomorrow with Leg 1 of Baja Europe 2025, where competitors will face challenging stages, demanding terrain, and intense competition.
LEG 1 – SS 125 km – Liaison 9 km: Speed, Navigation & Strategy.
The real challenge begins on Day 1 with 125 kilometers of grueling terrain. Competitors face the full diversity of the region: vast sandy stretches reminiscent of the Sahara, rolling grasslands, and scattered forest sections. Navigating through this ever-changing landscape requires not only speed but razor-sharp navigation and tactical decision-making. Every choice matters—this is where gaps start to open.
Participants will be divided into two starting groups, each with their own schedule and route variation:
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Group 1: ENDURO and ATV
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Group 2: SSV, CARS, and TRUCKS
Stay tuned for more updates, results, and high-speed action as Baja Europe 2025 unfolds. The adventure is just getting started!
Stage 1
Into the Heart of the Action: Leg 1 Kicks Off the Race
The real adventure began today. While the Enduro and ATV competitors set off early in the morning, the SSV, Car, and Truck classes launched into action at 1:00 PM, diving headfirst into the heart of the rally’s most challenging terrain.
Covering a demanding 125-kilometer course, Leg 1 marked the true beginning of the Baja Europe challenge. It was a stage that tested not only speed and mechanical reliability, but above all, the navigational skill and resilience of every crew. Fast stretches, tight technical sections, shifting surfaces, and hidden traps kept everyone on edge from the very first kilometer.
After the energy and spectacle of yesterday’s Prologue, today’s leg pushed the pace even further. The rally shifted into full gear with an atmosphere of intense focus and adrenaline. From the early morning starts to the final vehicles returning to the bivouac at dusk, each class—Enduro, ATV, SSV, Cars, and Trucks—faced its own battle against both the clock and the unforgiving terrain.
For some teams, it was a day of survival—navigating errors, mechanical issues, or penalties that reshaped the standings. For others, it was the perfect opportunity to gain ground and prove their preparation. Leg 1 didn’t just set the tone—it raised the stakes.
Navigation played a decisive role, adding a layer of strategy that proved costly for those who underestimated it. Even minor mistakes meant major consequences. Meanwhile, the Truck class delivered a spectacular performance, their roaring engines and sheer presence drawing cheers from spectators along the route.
Leg 1 was a clear reminder that in off-road racing, nothing can be taken for granted. Every turn, every waypoint, every decision counts. And while anything can happen, one thing is certain: the excitement has only just begun!
Leg 1 Shakes Up the Rankings with Speed, Surprises, and Strong Performances
Today’s Leg 1 brought several shake-ups in the top three positions across the classes, keeping the competition fierce and unpredictable.
In the bikes, Poland’s Bartłomiej Tabin, riding a KTM 500 EXC-F, delivered an outstanding performance and was the fastest of the day, clocking in at 02:21:52.97. Hot on his heels was Justin Gerlach from Germany, taking second place, while third went to another Polish rider, Marian Augustyn.
In the ATV class, Poland continues to dominate. Adam Krysiak maintained his lead with a solid time of 02:38:39.46, followed by compatriot Karol Sługocki in second place. Andrej Termer from Germany secured third, keeping the international pressure alive.
It was a day to remember for Lithuania in the SSV category, with a full sweep of the podium. Arūnas Simanavičius and Edgaras Simanavičius took first place with a time of 02:08:34.10, followed by Dalius Olechnavičius and Romualdas Karužis in second, and Arūnas Lekavičius and Andrius Liškus rounding out the top three. Will the Lithuanian dominance hold tomorrow, or will we see new contenders rise?
In the car category, today’s results mirrored yesterday’s standings. Hardo Mere from Estonia, co-driven by Poland’s Piotr Kujawski, was once again the fastest, clocking 02:22:30.94. In second place were the German duo Frank Stensky and Alexander Tasch in their powerful Lennson Mercedes, followed by the Dutch team Jenne Jasper and Marijn Verbeek in third.
Among the trucks, the quickest crew of the day was the Dutch trio Marnix Leeuw, Roy Van Veenendaal, and Marco Siemons, with a time of 02:44:03.62. Second place went to the German team of Patrick Toepfer, Kevin Toepfer, and Danny Heyde in their Mercedes Unimog, closely followed by fellow countrymen Holger Thome, Sebastian Roedel, and Moriz Sterr in third.
Today brought a mix of confirmations, position swaps, some dropouts, and new entries across the board.
What surprises will tomorrow bring?
What’s Coming Next at the Baja Europe
Following an adrenaline-filled Prologue and an intense first leg that pushed competitors to their limits, the rally continues to build momentum as we head into tomorrow’s highly demanding Leg 2. With the finish line drawing near, all eyes are on the final showdown—an ultimate test of endurance and skill—before the curtain falls with the much-anticipated awards ceremony, where champions will be crowned and stories of grit and glory will be celebrated.
LEG 2 – SS 117 km – Liaison 11 km: The Final Battle for Glory.
The final day covers 117 kilometers, where fatigue sets in but the stakes have never been higher. With the finish line in sight, drivers push their limits through unpredictable sand, firm soil, and natural obstacles. Endurance and mental resilience take center stage, as each competitor fights for every second and every meter in the ultimate push for victory.
Participants will be divided into two starting groups, each with their own schedule and route variation:
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Group 1: ENDURO and ATV
-
Group 2: SSV, CARS, and TRUCKS
Stay tuned for more updates, results, and high-speed action as Baja Europe 2025 unfolds. The adventure is just getting started!
Quelle / Source / Pictures / Bilder: RBI Sport, Baraldi, Rally Breslau, Baja Europe 2025
