the TEAM
Meet the TEAM !
The founders
Nelson Filipe​
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The idea of Big Trail Challenge was born in the desert, 10 years ago when the two founders met and did a tour together. Nelson, which can be also called Desert Fennec, is an extremely experienced adventure traveller, that knows Morocco better than his hands and has been the architect of the BTC routes using his filed experience to take participants to amazing scenery landscapes.
After traveling across the four corners of the world, decided to delight other people with the world wonders and created back in 2012 Mundo de Aventuras Travel & Expeditions, where he provides amazing experiences across the globe. In 2025, he decided to focus exclusively on 4x4 adventure trips although he remains connected to BTC as advisor.
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Pedro Pessoa
Pedro has the passion for motorcycle travelling for many years and he traveled for more than 30 countries in many "lonely rider" trips.
He has been the architect of the concept and the philosophy of the event incorporating Nelson's field experience and his own marketing and business experience.
He is the one that keeps saying that the event has only 3 rules: Safety, Safety & Safety
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Quiet and methodic, he is the Tour Leader, the gate keeper and the guardian of our core values:
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Customer always first
Passion
Authenticity
Integrity
Technical Director
Ignasi Calvo
With years of experience organising adventure trips on different locations around the globe, Ignasi joined the team recently and he his our route architect, GPS recorder, Roadbook artisan and the morning 'Briefing Man.
He shows the participants, what’s coming ahead and somehow makes it sound easy!
Mechanical leader
Luis Agostinho - the Desert MacGyver
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Let's hope it never happens, but if you have a breakdown in the middle of nowhere, this is definitely the guy you want to have around! Even when it seems impossible, the desert MacGyver can make it happen! With his technical knowledge, his incredibly skilled hands and a screwdriver, he keeps you moving and in the groove.
Medical team
The medical assistance will be guaranteed by a team made up of doctors and paramedics duly
qualified and with the necessary equipment to provide assistance on the track in the event of an accident or support in case of fatigue, dehydration, or any other situation. that requires medical assistance.
Media & event coordination
Lezita Melo e Simas
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Fearless and bossy, full of energy and enthusiasm, she supports the group and the organisation on many fronts and coordinates the event's media activities. She drives her 4x4 Land Cruiser as part of the support crew, picking up sometimes motorcycles from the track and carrying them in the trailer, through the desert tracks by herself!
Logistics coordination
Paulo Cebola
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He is the last to leave the hotel in the morning and the first to arrive, to make sure participants have their belongings when arriving at the end of each stage. He is also the one that makes sure you get a cold beer in your hands, when you arrive the hotel full of dust, sweaty and tired after riding all day!