Pordenone hosts from today the 22nd edition of the Italian Baja, the historical World Cross Country race tackled along the Meduna, Cosa and Tagliamento riverbeds. Over one hundred participants lined up with their cars, bikes, quads and trucks. 25 Nations represented by drivers and bikers from South America, Russia, Belarus, Lithuania and Latvia, from Kazahistan to Qatar, from Jordan to United Arab Emirates, from Portugal until Hungary. After the official start in Spilimbergo, vehicles reached the starting line of the 11 km Super Special Stage faced along the Meduna riverbed between Zoppola and Cordenons, characterized by spectacular ford crossings.
BIKES. A sunny afternoon, framed by many spectators along the track and a lot of enthusiasm, gave the start to the Italian Baja with its 11,59 km Super Special Stage along the Meduna riverbed, from Zoppola to Cordenons. Bikes lined up at the starting line, with a duel fought between our two local bikers. The best time of 7’58’’3 in the Overall Rank has been gained by Vanni Cominotto (Husqvarna), – as last year he gets the Memorial “Caco” Azzaretti Prize -ahead on Alessandro Ruoso with a gap of 6’’4, while Alex Zanotti from San Marino reached the third position after a gap of 31’’0. A race carefully faced by the French Adrien Marè (Ktm) with a time of 8’34’’9 and the Spanish Oriol Escalé (Honda) who crossed the final line in 8’51’’1. All bikers seem to be satisfied by the news offered by the prologue, whose classification will decide tomorrow’s starting order.
QUADS. Pordenone hosts from today the 22nd edition of the Italian Baja, the historical World Cross Country race tackled along the Meduna, Cosa and Tagliamento riverbeds. Over one hundred participants lined up with their cars, bikes, quads and trucks. 25 Nations represented by drivers and bikers from South America, Russia, Belarus, Lithuania and Latvia, from Kazahistan to Qatar, from Jordan to United Arab Emirates, from Portugal until Hungary. After the official start in Spilimbergo, vehicles reached the starting line of the 11 km Super Special Stage faced along the Meduna riverbed between Zoppola and Cordenons, characterized by spectacular ford crossings.
CARS. To demonstrate his greater power, Nasser Al-Attiyah (Mini All4 Racing) defeated all his 4-wheels enemies getting a time of 8’02’’2, leaving all his challengers in the dust. Marek Dabrowski (Toyota Overdrive) got a gap of 14’’9, Aleksandr Zheludov (Toyota Protechm) 18’’8, Boris Gadasin (G-Force Proto) 19’’3. A complicated start obliged the World Cup leader Vladimir Vasilyev (Toyota Overdrive) to suffer a 40’’8 gap to be recovered Tomorrow along the Cosa and Tagliamento riverbeds. Great performance for Mauro Trentin (Toyota Collodel) who had his debut as for Cross Country races: 8’47’’2, gaining the eight position of the Overall Rank, ahead on Lorenzo Codecà (Suzuki Grand Vitara), MikiBiasion (Tubular Vm) and Elvis Borsoi (Ford Raptor). Italians’ great performances should now be maintained until the end of the race.
SHOW. Emotions will be assured tomorrow and on Sunday by the “Rauscedo Jump” (organized by the Rauscedo Wine Cellar friends) and the “Valvadrom” (thanks to the Pro Loco of Valvasone and the Lupus in Fabula association), the most attractive points along the track, whose images will be spread by streaming on the website www.italianbaja.com ; they will be also equipped with a food & wine stand, as well as the starting line in San Lorenzo di Arzene, where everybody is invited to celebrate the World race drinking a toast .
