Tomasini is enjoying the moment, but his mind is already on Sardinia.
"I've realized a dream by taking my first overall victory. Now a much longer and more challenging race awaits us; we'll be humble."
Pordenone, March 31, 2026. It didn't quite come as every driver dreams, crossing the finish line first without any ifs or buts. However, it's still a deserved victory, tinged with the uncertainty and risk that always accompany motorsports challenges right up to the final meter. Andrea Tomasini, driving a Polaris Razor 1000 Group T4, navigated by his friend and partner Angelo Mirolo, won the Italian Baja di Primavera – Artugna Race, the first stage of the 2026 Italian Cross Country Championship, following the post-race checks.
The first-place crew, composed of siblings Kevin and Giada Manocchi, was disqualified for a technical irregularity. The victory went to "Toma," who had rushed to the finish line in second place after a brutal day of rain and mud clawing at the wheels on the 27-kilometer course through the countryside of Aviano, Budoia, and Polcenigo. This was Tomasini's "backyard" and the other drivers from Pordenone who played a leading role, including those who battled and won the Rally Trophy (Andrea De Luna) and the Historic Open (Cristian Secondin).
In the immediate aftermath of the race, however, the emotion was truly dreamlike. “I made a dream come true by taking my first overall victory,” he said on the awards stage, “and I still can’t believe it. It was my seasonal debut; I got on a side-by-side almost nine months after my last time. The first few laps helped me get back into the swing of things, even though they were difficult. I had visibility issues due to water and rain. Later, the situation improved, and I upped my pace, moving from fifth to second place, and finally to first. I’m truly happy. I demonstrated consistency and speed. I thank the people and sponsors who supported me; I will never forget this day.”
A success that began a long time ago. Born in Pordenone on September 1, 1982, the summer of Rossi & Co.’s “World Cup,” Tomasini began on the track in single-seater formulas. His cross-country debut dates back to the 2014 Italian Baja, a World Cup event. Among his fondest memories are podium finishes in Greece and Hungary, and fourth place overall in the Italian championship at the 2018 Italian Baja with a factory Suzuki T1. Then he moved to SSVs and in 2023, won the T4 title on a Yamaha. This year, he decided to tackle the entire CI2C, supported by Polaris Team Italia RZR Racing with trainer Lorenzo Cenzi.
He couldn't have gotten off to a better start: victory and, of course, provisional top spot in the standings. “Angelo and I, along with the entire team, are enjoying the moment, but our thoughts are already on Sardinia, where I've raced several times and twice finished third overall for Suzuki. I know it will be a different race than the standard Italian Championship, much longer and more complicated, according to the information circulating. As a candidate for the W2RC world championship, it's logical to expect a top-level performance. Therefore, we'll approach it with great humility, trying to do our best as always and, if possible, increasing our concentration in every aspect. I'd also like to add that we'll be supported by a highly attractive crew, composed of Christine Gz and Pablo Moreno. We'll be able to appreciate these two professionals at work as teammates”.
Italian Baja Press Office
photo M. Barazzutti
