Pordenone, March 10, 2026. Registration closed last night with a record peak yet to be deciphered, but decidedly extra-large for the cross-country specialty. Among its highlights, the 16th Italian Baja – Artugna Race 2026 will feature the first off-road experience of Paola Tagliabue, from Como, former dynamic freediving world champion (Tenerife 2006), at the wheel of a Nissan Terrano Turbodiesel 2.7 from Team Tecnosport.
It's a breathtaking debut, even for someone like her, who has set numerous records while holding her breath (156.55 meters was the limit reached), because tackling the fast dirt roads with sharp turns through the countryside of Aviano, Budoia, and Polcenigo will test her athletic mettle in this new role as a female driver. So Tecnosport has decided to partner her with experienced navigator Sandra Castellani from Pordenone, a home-grown athlete who knows the intricacies of the foothills very well, forming a unique female crew capable of attracting curiosity and attention.
The first stage of the Italian Cross Country Championship organized by ACI Sport will take place next Saturday, March 14th, on a timed course of approximately 30 km to be repeated four times, intersecting the bed of the Artugna stream at several points, with the danger of a few fords, similar to the more extreme versions of the Italian Baja World Cup, scheduled this year from June 25th to 28th.
Tecnosport will also field Lorenzo Traglio (son of owner Maurizio, unable to compete this time) along with Fabiano Stefano in a Nissan Pathfinder 3.0 petrol, and the crew of Antonio Rossi and Francesco Proietti in a Nissan Terrano Turbodiesel 3.0. These three vehicles are Group TH, the category for vehicles whose homologation has expired, but they are still high-performance and fun, worthy opponents even for the latest-generation vehicles.
Next Friday, at 6:45 PM, the press conference presenting the race will be held at Villa Policreti in Castel d’Aviano..
Italian Baja Press Office
