Pordenone, June 25, 2026_ Yesterday was "welcome day," today is "scrutineering day" (sporting and technical checks of competitors) and the "ceremonial start." The Italian Baja speaks English to ensure understanding for competitors and officials from four continents and 28 nations. A "melting pot" at the Pordenone Fairgrounds, home to the race headquarters, creates a magical atmosphere for the participants, the staff, the curious, and the enthusiasts ready to follow the race with freedom of movement, except in a few restricted areas.
Tomorrow afternoon at 5:30 PM, the prologue will begin on a nearly 14-kilometer course in the Meduna area, in the municipalities of Cordenons and Zoppola, providing the first times to assess the performance. The start is from the former sun therapy colony on Via Pasch in Cordenons, where post-war children basked in the sun. It's also a historic spot for the Italian Baja, which has chosen it as the starting point dozens of times before heading to San Giorgio della Richinvelda, Spilimbergo, Dignano, and finally entering the Tagliamento floodplains. Never before has the water been so far from the course to limit the vehicles' electrical issues. This will be a fast race to see if the heavier and more powerful classic off-road vehicles, particularly the T1 Plus and T1 prototypes, can keep pace with the agile side-by-side vehicles (SSVs).
Saudi Arabia's Dania Akeel (Toyota Hilux Overdrive Evo T1 Plus) leads the World Cup ahead of Omani Hamed Al-Wahaibi (Taurus T3 Max Evo). Women also stand out in the European Cup, with Polish driver Magdalena Zajac (another Toyota Hilux) challenged by Czech Karel Trneny (Ford F150 Evo) and Portuguese drivers Paulo Rodrigues (Brp Can Am), Dinis Rogeira (Can Am Maverick) and José Rogeira (Ford Ranger). The Italian Baja, a race with the highest coefficient (3) for the Italian series, sees reigning champion Manuele Mengozzi (Toyota Hilux Overdrive) back in the running, as he tries to stay ahead of the ambitious Alessandro Trivini Bellini, Martin Alejandro Cisella and Andrea Castagnera (all on Can Am Maverick). The Hungarian Cross Country Championship also stops in Friuli for the third consecutive year. We'll see if Csucsu (Taurus Max), leader after two races, can hold off the onslaught of compatriot Frantisek Brutovsky (Ford F150 Evo) and Polish driver Marcin Nasilovski (also in a Taurus).
Before hitting the dirt tracks tomorrow through Sunday, however, there's a sumptuous parade in Piazza XX Settembre in Pordenone tonight (from 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM), a chance to meet all 91 crews and discover their colorful vehicles in a blaze of lights and sounds (live on ACI Sport TV from 10:00 PM to 11:00 PM).
Italian Baja Press Office
Photo MMPHOTO
