The weekend just gone did not deliver the results MS Munaretto had hoped for, but the team from Schio is far from waving the white flag. Between the gravel stages of the World Championship and the pitfalls of Italian tarmac, crews had to contend with a series of unforeseen events that compromised performance – yet still left encouraging signs for the rounds to come.
WRC | Rally de Portugal: Technical retirement for Joona–Vaaleri, but a strong showing on Sunday
Following a promising debut at Rally Sweden, Finland’s Lauri Joona returned for his second WRC appearance of the season behind the wheel of the Skoda Fabia RS Rally2. With fellow countryman Samu Vaaleri calling the notes, Joona showed positive pace in the early stages of the event, only to be forced into retirement on Saturday during Special Stage 15 “Vieira do Minho” due to technical issues.
Despite the disappointment, the Nordic duo opted to re-enter under Super Rally regulations for Sunday’s final leg – turning the remaining stages into a valuable test session in full race conditions. The time sheets told the story: consistently within the day’s Top 3, confirming a competitive pace that bodes well for future outings. Joona and Vaaleri now look ahead to the next round in Sardinia, with more experience under their belts and unwavering determination.
CRZ 3 | Rally Valle Intelvi: Pederzani–Omacini out with the finish in sight
Misfortune also struck Riccardo Pederzani and Martina Omacini at the Rally Valle Intelvi, a scoring round for Zone 3 of the Italian Rally Cup. After a cautious but consistent start, the Varese driver was building a clever race strategy heading into the final stages – but hopes were dashed by an off-road excursion in the penultimate test, “Laino – Tellero 2”.
It was a bitter end after a promising start to the season, though the potential shown by the Lombard crew remains undeniable. The car displayed excellent handling throughout, and the Pederzani–Omacini pairing continues to be one to watch as the tarmac battles resume.
CRZ 7 | Rally degli Abeti: Bizzarri–Lanera forced to retire in the opening kilometres
It was also a tough weekend for Tuscany’s Stefano Bizzarri and co-driver Luisa Lanera, contesting the 2025 edition of Rally degli Abeti e Abetone in Zone 7 of the Italian Rally Cup. With a wealth of experience on the roads of the Pistoia mountains and fresh from a second place at the Trofeo Maremma, Bizzarri was considered a strong contender on home turf – an event he previously won in 1992.
Unfortunately, an early off within the opening kilometres brought their rally to an abrupt end, preventing crew number 1 from showcasing their full potential. The disappointment, however, was met with composure and clarity: the aim now is to bounce back in the next round, and to return the Pirelli-shod Fabia RS to where it belongs – at the sharp end of the leaderboard.
