From Portugal’s dusty gravel to Lombardy’s tarmac and the Tuscan twisties – MS Munaretto prepares for a weekend with international flair and strong ties to the national rallying scene.
With the Spanish asphalt round in the books, the World Rally Championship switches surface and tone as the global rally circus heads to Matosinhos for the highly anticipated Rally de Portugal. Running from 15 to 18 May, this marks round five of the 2025 WRC calendar and kicks off a demanding run of seven consecutive gravel events. A pivotal phase of the season, it promises to test drivers, machinery and tactics in one of the most iconic – and unforgiving – events of the year.
The Portuguese outing will feature 24 special stages totalling 344.50 competitive kilometres, with the rally getting underway on Thursday evening at 20:02 and concluding on Sunday afternoon with the legendary Wolf Power Stage in Fafe.
Among the key entries in the WRC2 category is Finnish rising star Lauri Joona, co-driven once again by fellow countryman Samu Vaaleri. The MS Munaretto-backed crew will take to the stages with #29 on the doors of their trusted Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 – the same car that carried them to a strong WRC2 Challenger podium and a near top-three finish in WRC2 overall at Rally Sweden. This time, the goal is clear: to confirm their pace at a more punishing gravel event.
Friday is set to be the most crucial day of the weekend, with nearly 150 kilometres of competitive distance and two brand-new stages, as well as two remote service stops scheduled in Arganil.
Meanwhile, MS Munaretto will also be out in force across Italy’s national rally scene. In Lombardy, the Coppa Rally di Zona 3 heads to the roads of Rally Valle Intelvi. At the start line: the well-matched crew of Riccardo Pederzani and Martina Omacini, returning aboard their Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo wearing #6. After narrowly missing out on the podium at the recent Rally Prealpi Orobiche, the Varese-based driver is ready to take on the six-stage, 61.80-kilometre competitive route. The event kicks off from Piazza Carminati in San Fedele Intelvi on Saturday at 16:31, with the finish scheduled for Sunday at 15:20.
Further south, Tuscany plays host to the 42nd edition of the Rally degli Abeti e Abetone – a CRZ Zone 7 counting round. MS Munaretto returns to the mountain of Pistoia with one of its most iconic figures: Stefano Bizzarri. Carrying #1 on the sides of his Pirelli-shod Škoda Fabia RS, Bizzarri reunites with long-time co-driver Luisa Lanera for his home rally – a stage he last contested four years ago and famously won back in 1992 at the dawn of his career. After claiming second overall at the Trofeo Maremma earlier this season, there’s only one goal this weekend: the top step. The competition will be fierce, with 93 entries on the starting list.
The Tuscan event will feature seven special stages covering 65.22 timed kilometres, plus 101.45 km of liaisons, for a total route of 166.67 km. A classic test with modern challenges, where experience and razor-sharp precision will prove vital.
Everything is set for another thrilling weekend of gravel, asphalt, and pure rally heritage.
