The grand finale of the Italian Baja, valid for the Fia international Cup for cross country Bajas, gives a surprise result.
In fact, the Russian crew consisting of driver Boris Gadasin and navigator Alexa Mironenko on Nissan Pick-up in 4h28'37 '', who in the last selective sector on the Tagliamento riverbed ('Spilimbergo' of 46 km) is the winner. managed to overtake what seemed to be the undisputed rulers of the race. Spaniard Marc Roura Blazquez and compatriot Manuel Navarro, who had won the prologue test and the first stage, were stuck in practice due to the breaking of the front axle of their Nissan Navara after crossing the river fords.
Thus the off-road race, which had already put several big names in crisis especially of the Italian, has ousted its main protagonist, despite a clear superiority of results by Blazquez, able to set the best time in 8 of the 10 timed tests . For his part, Gadasin legitimized the success with the fact that he was the only one to undermine the tread, also going to lead Saturday after the first pass on 'Spilimbergo ", with Blazquez delayed by a small digression on the track, and therefore winning the only two time trials left free by the Iberian.
Second position for the Hungarians Sandor Kis and Peter Czegledi on Autoport Evo4 prototype, 5'30 '' behind, while the Portuguese brothers Alexandre and Joao Pedro Re on Nissan Pathfinder found themselves in third place at 10'55 ''. The fourth-placed crew is also Russian, with Alexey Berkut and Anton Nikolaev on Mitsubishi Triton Evo at 13''4.
First of the Italians and fifth overall the Pordenone crew composed of Angelo Montico and Andrea Turchet on Mitsubishi Pajero, only 17'53 '' behind the summit. An extraordinary result considering that Montico raced with quads until last year and the only 'attempt' at a four-wheel race in the summer of 2006 ended immediately in the prologue of the Friuli tout terrain Rally with his vehicle in need of repair. Instead, everything worked perfectly and the home driver masterfully exploited both the excellent knowledge of the places and the potential of the Pajero available, a vehicle prepared by Walter Benazzato, also taking the luxury of putting on a show for his many fans on the route.
To find another Italian you have to go back to 13th position with Marino Abini paired with Simona Mantovani on Mitsubishi Pajero of Ralliart Italia, 30 'from the winners, while the brothers Andrea and Simone Toro on Nissan Patrol placed 15th, thirds of the Italian ranking.
In the T2 category, vehicles derived from production, the sheikh of Qatar, Al-Thani, repeated the success of 2006. Finally, as regards quads, emotions and entertainment also from four-wheeled motorcycles, for which the Italian Baja was worth the first time as a test of the European Championship. Victory for Dario Segato from Vicenza on Suzuki Ltr 450 with a time of 3h39'18 '', ahead of Marcello Iannaccone (another Suzuki) behind by 18''8 and Silvestro Paris (Polaris) at 20'42 ''.
