Pordenone, 5th July_ The temperature is hot indeed, but the river crossing make everything better.The Italian Baja confirmed its “tortures” during the first day of the 2025 edition, with teams tested by the boiling cockpits - not everyone, the T1 supercars have air conditioning - and many other vehicles challenged by the river crossings. Friday was characterized by the “Giulia Maroni” prologue with two laps on the “Rivignano” selective sector of 35 km, from Castions di Strada to Muzzana del Turgnano. Never in its history has the Italian Baja seen such a strong presence of the left bank of the Tagliamento, in a team work, together with the local administration, aiming to showcase the territory.
As predicted Argentinian Juan Cruz Iacopini on a Toyota Hilux Overdrive, navigated by Daniel Oliveras, was able to mark the best time overall in both the passages: 26’30’’ and then 25’52’. Rapid pace to immediately put in crisis all his main “enemies”, on Toyota Hiulux as well, starting from the difficult opponent Francisco Barreto with a gap of 5’’ and then of 22’’ for an overall difference of 27’’.
Unfortunately Jacopini received a 2' penalty for exceeding the speed limit in the neutralization zone. Therefore the first positions for the ranking where rewritten: first Barreto with a total of 52’50’’, second Lithuanian Benediktas Vanagas at 1’06’' , third the Polish Martin Kaczmarski at 1’28’’, fourth Iacopini at 1’32’’.
Problems in the first lap for Czech driver Miroslav Zapletal on a Ford F150 Evo (28’41’’) resulting in an important loss of time. The leader in the world cup ranking was able to improve in the second lap (26’52’’), still making it in the top ten.
Among the Challenger vehicles the provisional ranking is lead by Tiago Reis on a Taurus T3 Max with a total of 54’30’’ ahead of Hunagrian Lorinc Meszaros. Portuguese Alfonso Oliveira on a Polaris Razor took the lead among the Ssv with 54’40’’ and for him as well an important gap from the second position, Argentinian Diego Martinez on a Can Am Maverick.
Amerigo Ventura is the overall best among the Italians, securing a 14th position on his Quaddy Yamaha, while the 18th position is taken by Andrea Schiumarini on a Century Cr6, suffering from a penalty of 2 minutes. The race, valid for both the Italian and Hungarian championships, with just one lap on the selective sector “Rivignano”, started with Andrea Castagnera’s best time of 27’52’’9 on his Brp Can Am Maverick, ahead of Manuele Mengozzi on a Toyota Hilux with a gap of 8’’ and of Hungarian Zsolt Hoffer on a Overdrive Ot3, third at 17’’.
Castagagnera, winner of the Italian race of the previous edition, roared in a varied and selective track that put to the test teams and cars.
Problems for two of the protagonists, Alfio Bordonaro on a Suzuki Grand Vitara, leader of the overall Italian ranking, and the super champion (11 titles) Lorenzo Codecà, who both have paid a strong delay. Today an even more intense day is expected with the selective "Tagliamento" sector of over 120 km that will have to be repeated three times for the world and European FIA race (start at 08:01, 12:31, 17:01), and two times for the national Italian and Hungarian championships. Live coverage of the whole race on the youtube channel of Italian Baja, while tonight from 20:30 there will be a dedicated broadcast on Acisport TV, channel 228 of Sky. Final award ceremony at the fairground in Pordenone at 22.
Italian Baja press office
