Baja Greece: Baud family finishes second in the Ultimate category
06/08/2026
- Gameiro takes the lead in the FIA European Baja Cup
- Baud third in the Ultimate standings of the FIA World Baja Cup
The X-raid team celebrated its debut at the Baja Greece – the third round of the FIA World Baja Cup and at the same time the second event of the FIA European Baja Cup. The tight and twisty track proved to be a challenge for the large Ultimate vehicles. Consequently, Lionel and Lucie Baud in the MINI JCW Rally 3.0d took sixth place overall, but secured second place in the Ultimate classification. The more agile SxS vehicles had an advantage in Greece and occupied the top three spots. Maria Gameiro and Rosa Romero finished the Baja in 15th place overall and sixth in the Ultimate category.
The Baud family once again demonstrated their strong performance: in addition to the prologue, they also won the fourth special stage and finished in the top 3 a total of four times! Thanks to their good placement in Greece, they managed to jump from 13th to sixth place in the overall standings of the FIA World Baja Cup. In the Ultimate classification, they are now even in third position.
Their teammates Gameiro and Romero were also performing well in the MINI JCW Rally 3.0d. Unfortunately, on Saturday afternoon they went too wide in an extremely muddy corner and hit a tree. This cost the two ladies a lot of time and positions in the overall standings. Nevertheless, the Portuguese driver was able to collect enough points to take the lead in the FIA European Baja Cup.
The X-raid team can now take a short breath and will be back at the start in two weeks at the Italian Baja (also part of the FIA World and European Baja Cup). The line-up will be announced later this week.
Statements
Sven Quandt (X-raid team principal): “Not quite the result we had imagined. Unfortunately, a hydraulic valve prevented a better result for Lionel. Maria drove well. Unfortunately, she lost a better position because she got stuck against a tree in the deep mud. Lionel set great stage times and showed that he can compete right at the front in the Bajas.”
Lionel Baud (MINI JCW Rally 3.0d): “The Baja Greece was a great race with a lot of forest and vegetation – and very challenging. Unfortunately, we had a technical problem with the steering on Saturday. Nevertheless, we were able to win the FIA World Baja Cup in the Ultimate classification and thus collect a lot of points. This fits our goal of finishing in the top 3 at the end of the year.”
Maria Gameiro (MINI JCW Rally 3.0d): “This was certainly one of the most difficult races for an Ultimate vehicle. We are happy that we made it to the finish line. That was the most important thing after our ‘excursion’ yesterday. I’m happy.”
Overall standings
1. M. van den Brink / B. van Heun – Can-Am – 8h 01m 52s
2. M. Al Helei / K. Alkendi – Can-Am – 8h 23m 51s
3. H. Hosas / P. Tibau Roura – Can-Am – 8h 31m 57s
4. K. Trneny / V. Pritzl – Ford – 8h 34m 43s
5. M. Kapanoglu / A. Trendafilov – Can-Am – 8h 41m 38s
6. L. Baud / L. Baud – MINI JCW Rally 3.0d – 8h 42m 14s
…
15. M. Gameiro / R. Romero – MINI JCW Rally 3.0d – 11h 31m 02s
