Pordenone, June 29, 2026_ The record-breaking Italian Baja, with 91 crews from four continents and 26 nations, concluded as per tradition with the winners of the foreign competition: Portuguese drivers Francisco Barreto and Paulo Fiuza in a Toyota Hilux Evo. They took first place in 5:21:38.8 to complete a timed course of over 420 km from Friday to Sunday, navigating the stunning trails of the Meduna, Cosa, and Tagliamento floodplains. These stretches of untamed nature close to towns and villages, something unique and special, particularly appreciated by the competitors and their entourage. On the podium at the Pordenone Fair were Dutch drivers Paul Spierings and Mark Salomons in a Taurus Evo Max, second at 3:15.8, and Lithuanians Benediktas Vanagas and Aisvydas Paliukenas in a Toyota Hilux, third at 3:54.5.
Three days of racing marked by extreme heat, mugginess, and dust—a lot of it—but sealed by an atmosphere of fair and passionate competition, held in close proximity in the pavilions on Viale Treviso in what is first and foremost a sporting celebration in the colors of the rainbow, the FIA Baja World Cup, alongside the European Cup and the national challenges of the Italian Championship and the Hungarian Cross Country Championship. On Friday, Dania Akeel (Toyota Hilux) had sprinted in the 14km prologue, but her performance did not count towards the Cup standings. However, on Saturday, on the first of two runs on the 156km selective sector (the longest ever run in Italy), the Saudi Arabian driver paid dearly for a navigational error, suffering a wheel snatch and stopping on the track, while her opponents sped away without hesitation. South African Saood Variawa (Hilux) set the fastest time of 2:05:01.6, but Barreto and Vanagas were very close behind, separated by just under 3 seconds. The second run took place in the afternoon, faster despite deep ruts that challenged the slower-performing vehicles. Variawa had problems, with Barreto setting the fastest time of 2:01:07.8, ahead of Omani Hamed Al Wahaibi (Taurus) by 20.7 seconds. The others were significantly further back, with Spierings over 2 minutes behind and Britain's Sean Haran (Polaris) over 4 minutes behind. Italians were also protagonists in the world championship challenge, but in the back of the pack, with Andrea Schiumarini (Century Cr6) still leading the Italian series. The final stage took place yesterday, a selective 94 km sector from Dignano to Vacile di Spilimbergo, descending again to the Madrisio bridge to cross to the opposite bank of the Tagliamento. Variawa's best time was 1:11:27.1, while Frenchmen Lionel Baud (Mini) performed well, finishing second at 1:49.8, and Stephane Sarrazin (Minotor) third at 2:08.7. Barreto was only tenth, slightly risking his lead, but still the overall winner. Schiumarini, unwavering after celebrating his victory in the Italian Triple Coefficient Championship race on Saturday evening, finished twelfth, boosting his confidence even further, just 12.6 seconds behind his rival Riccardo Benettolo (Taurus), who was equally satisfied with his overall performance. There was widespread applause as the curtain fell on the Italian Baja. The Fuoristrada Club 4x4 Pordenone already has big plans for 2027.
Italian Baja Press Office
photo mikesphoto_ph
