This weekend, the picturesque town of Viana do Castelo in Portugal hosted the second round of the prestigious Outdoor World Championship. On Saturday, Honda Montesa rider Miquel Gelabert etched his name into the history books by securing his first-ever victory with the RTL Electric motorcycle. Despite the challenges posed by the demanding second race, the 26-year-old showcased remarkable potential and claimed a historic win. This achievement highlights Gelabert's growing confidence on varied terrains and underscores the team's hard work since their initial struggles at the opening round in Benahavís, Málaga.

Gelabert's journey began with a strong determination to improve his adaptation to the new bike. The weekend's first race saw him navigating unfamiliar terrain with finesse, managing to avoid penalties in the initial section and swiftly climbing into the provisional top five. His consistent performance earned him only 10 penalty points by the end, securing him a second-place finish and adding 17 crucial points to his tally. This set the stage for an even more impressive showing in the subsequent race.

In the second contest, Gelabert demonstrated unmatched comfort and confidence aboard the RTL Electric. He executed four consecutive clean runs, positioning himself firmly among the podium contenders. As the race progressed, he skillfully maneuvered his way into first place and maintained this position until the final whistle. With just five penalty points to his name, Gelabert emerged victorious in Race 2, cementing his status as a formidable competitor in the championship.

The overall standings from Saturday reflect Gelabert's historic achievement, marking the first RTL Electric win in the world championship. Thanks to a robust points accumulation from Day 1 in Viana do Castelo, Gelabert now stands at fifth in the rankings with 67 points. Looking ahead, the young rider has two more opportunities on Sunday to replicate his success in the Portuguese locale, with the Trial2 riders commencing action at 8:00 a.m. local time.

Miquel Gelabert expressed his astonishment at securing a win after the challenging debut in Málaga, crediting the team's exceptional efforts for this milestone. He emphasized enjoying the ride and feeling mentally and physically strong, setting his sights on delivering another stellar performance in the upcoming races. Team manager Carles Barneda echoed similar sentiments, celebrating the victory as validation of their relentless improvement efforts post-Málaga. Their collective satisfaction stems from Gelabert's increasing confidence with the bike and the promise of many more successes to come, all while extending gratitude to Honda and HRC for their unwavering support.

Achieving this historic win marks not only a personal triumph for Gelabert but also a testament to the team's dedication and strategic improvements. As the championship progresses, the focus remains on capitalizing on this momentum to secure further victories and elevate their standing in the competitive world of outdoor trials.