Four fastest stage times and second place overall for Avbelj at Rally Città di Bassano. Albertini finishes fourth overall and second in the Italian Rally Challenger Championship. In San Marino, Patrik Sandell and Emil Axelsson celebrate twenty years since their Junior WRC title with eleventh place overall and second in the Super 1600 class.
MS Munaretto has wrapped up a successful weekend, competing simultaneously at the 24th Rallylegend in San Marino and the 43rd Rally Città di Bassano. The Schio-based team fielded seven crews across the two events, securing second place overall with Boštjan Avbelj and fourth with Stefano Albertini on the stages around Vicenza, the latter also finishing second among the Italian Rally Challenger Championship competitors. Meanwhile, in San Marino, the return of Patrik Sandell and Emil Axelsson in the Renault Clio Super 1600 made for an emotional weekend, rounded off by another class podium finish.
The 24th Rallylegend held particular significance for Patrik Sandell and Emil Axelsson, who reunited in the number 56 Renault Clio Super 1600 twenty years after claiming the 2006 Junior WRC world title. Their return brought together the Swedish driver, his long-time co-driver and MS Munaretto, reviving a sporting partnership whose roots go back to the 2006 World Championship season.
The crew finished eleventh overall, just outside the top ten, and second in the Super 1600 class, completing a trouble-free rally that brought plenty of satisfaction. Yet the significance of this Rallylegend went far beyond the final classification. With large crowds, cars representing different eras of rallying and numerous former champions in attendance, Sandell and Axelsson enjoyed three days filled with smiles, memories and emotion. Getting back behind the wheel of the Clio Super 1600 and tackling the special stages together once again allowed them to revisit an important chapter of their careers, sharing the excitement of their long-awaited return with the fans. For MS Munaretto, it was an equally meaningful opportunity to reunite with two drivers who have played a part in the team’s sporting history.
At the 43rd Rally Città di Bassano, it was once again Boštjan Avbelj who took centre stage, alongside Damijan Andrejka in the number 5 Škoda Fabia RS Rally2. Following his recent overall victory at Rally del Lazio Cassino, the Slovenian once again demonstrated his impressive pace, setting four fastest times across the seven special stages and consistently running at the sharp end of the field. A strong performance, built on sustained pace and committed driving along the demanding roads of the Vicenza area, saw the crew secure an excellent second place overall. The result further underlines Avbelj’s competitiveness, confirming his place among the leading contenders on the Italian rally scene.
An equally positive performance came from Stefano Albertini and Danilo Fappani, competing in the number 7 Škoda Fabia RS Rally2. The Brescia-based pairing finished the Rally Città di Bassano fourth overall and second among the Italian Rally Challenger Championship competitors, following a determined drive marked by steadily improving pace. After a particularly challenging opening night stage, affected by fog, Albertini managed to regain ground throughout Saturday, progressively improving his performance before setting the fastest time on the final Valstagna Power Stage. A convincing finish that secured an important result in the Challenger Championship and continued the strong run of performances achieved in recent events.
There was also a remarkable recovery for Diego Zantedeschi and Stefano Righetti, aboard the number 23 Škoda Fabia RS Rally2. The Verona-based crew staged an impressive comeback after an opening stage severely affected by poor visibility. From 99th place at the end of the first special stage, Zantedeschi steadily climbed the standings, gaining no fewer than 63 positions to finish the rally 36th overall. It was a performance built kilometre by kilometre, with an increasingly competitive pace and encouraging results on the demanding roads around Vicenza. Beyond the final position, the result highlighted the crew’s determination to recover lost ground and confirmed the positive signs shown throughout the season.
Another solid result came from Michele Sambugaro and Ivan Gasparotto, competing in the number 29 Škoda Fabia RS Rally2. The crew finished the Rally Città di Bassano in thirteenth place overall, securing a place among the leading Rally2 competitors in an event featuring a particularly strong entry list. Sambugaro maintained a consistent pace across the stages, improving his position after the opening test and bringing the car home without major issues. The result follows his fifth-place finish overall at Rally Città di Schio and confirms the consistency shown by the driver in his most recent outings.
It was a disappointing end to the event, however, for Paolo Oriella and Sandra Tommasini, competing in the number 24 Škoda Fabia RS Rally2. The crew were forced to retire following an off-road excursion, bringing their participation in the Veneto event to a premature end. An unfortunate outcome for Oriella, who has previously enjoyed some of the most significant results of his career at Bassano, including fourth place overall in the 2025 edition.
The younger generation was also represented by Filippo Sambugaro and Fabio Lazzarotto, competing with number 107. The young driver completed a positive rally, gaining valuable experience on the demanding stages around Bassano and showing encouraging signs throughout the weekend. The main objective was to accumulate mileage, build confidence in competitive conditions and continue his development as a driver. An encouraging experience also with a view to potential future collaborations with MS Munaretto, which could provide Sambugaro with further opportunities to gain experience and develop his skills behind the wheel.
The 43rd Rally Città di Bassano, contested over seven special stages covering a total of 102.69 competitive kilometres, once again proved to be one of the most demanding and closely fought events of the season, with fog on the opening stage making the route particularly challenging. MS Munaretto therefore brings an intense weekend to a close, balancing competition on the roads around Vicenza with the emotions of Rallylegend, securing important results and celebrating a reunion of particular historical significance for the Schio-based team.
