Giandomenico Basso and Lorenzo Granai secured a dramatic win at the Rallye Sanremo 2024, driving their Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 to victory for the fifth time at this iconic event. The win not only cemented Basso’s place in the annals of Sanremo’s history but also earned him the vice-champion title in the Italian Absolute Rally Sparco Championship (CIAR).
However, the finale was bittersweet for Simone Campedelli/Tania Canton, who lost both the second spot in the race and the runner-up position in the championship by just 0.2 seconds to champions Andrea Crugnola/Pietro Ometto in their Citroën C3.
Thrilling showdown in Sanremo
The 71st edition of the Rallye Sanremo delivered all the drama fans hoped for, with rain, fog, and sun adding to the challenge. The season finale saw nine stages unfold across Western Liguria’s demanding asphalt, including a crucial win for Basso/Granai on the penultimate Carpasio-Rezzo stage. That 21-kilometre section allowed them to extend their lead over Campedelli/Canton by 10 seconds, setting the stage for a nail-biting finish. “The race lived up to Sanremo’s reputation, full of challenges, and we’re thrilled to end the season on such a high,” Basso reflected at the finish.
Though Campedelli/Canton had dominated the early stages, including three consecutive fastest times, Crugnola/Ometto’s final-stage attack stole the second spot by the slimmest of margins—just 0.2 seconds—in a heartbreaker for the Cesena-based driver.
At the finish line on Corso Imperatrice, with the Casino di Sanremo as a backdrop, Basso/Granai celebrated their victory with a final margin of 7.8 seconds over Crugnola/Ometto and 8 seconds over Campedelli/Canton.
Top contenders and class standouts
The battle behind the leading trio also kept fans on the edge of their seats. ACI Team Italia’s Roberto Daprà/Luca Guglielmetti drove a Škoda Fabia RS to a fourth-place finish, overcoming brake issues on Friday to deliver a strong final day. The duo capped their season with back-to-back wins in the Italian Rally Promozione Championship, following up on their Rally 1000 Miglia success.
In fifth, Marco Signor/Daniele Michi, debuting their Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, secured fourth place in the CIAR Sparco standings, beating Slovenian drivers Bostjan Avbelj/Damijan Andrejka by 5.7 seconds. Meanwhile, Andrea Mabellini/Virginia Lenzi, fresh from their European win in Poland, endured a tough race after losing 1 min 30 seconds to a puncture during the night stage. They finished seventh.
Emerging talent shines in Junior and 2WD categories
The rally also marked a milestone for Matteo Doretto, who secured the Italian Absolute Junior Rally Championship title with a consistent drive to third place in the event. Alongside co-driver Marco Frigo, Doretto’s season included three wins and two second-place finishes, establishing him as a rising star.
Rival Francesco Dei Ceci, co-driven by Nicolò Lazzarini, dominated the Sanremo stages but ultimately had to settle for second in the championship. Between them, Sardinian duo Mattia Ricciu/Marco Corda claimed second place in the rally, finishing 44 seconds off the lead.
In the Two-Wheel Drive Championship (2WD), Gianandrea Pisani/Massimo Moriconi clinched their second consecutive title. Pisani secured third in the category at Sanremo, capping a flawless season in the Peugeot 208 Rally4. The race victory went to Gabriel Di Pietro/Andrea Dresti, who confirmed their status as future contenders with back-to-back wins in the championship.
Suzuki Rally Cup and R1 triumphs
Young standout Sebastian Dallapiccola put in a masterclass performance, clinching the Italian R1 Championship and securing victory in the Suzuki Rally Cup. Dallapiccola, just 20 years old, overtook Alessandro Forneris in the final kilometres of the last stage to seal the win in his Swift Hybrid, outpacing rivals Giorgio Fichera/Enzo Colombaro. “It’s an incredible feeling to finish the season like this,” Dallapiccola said. “To win both the R1 Championship and the Suzuki Cup is just amazing.”
Somaschini’s success in the ACI Sport Women’s Cup
In the ACI Sport Women’s Cup, Rachele Somaschini, with co-driver Giulia Zanchetta, showcased resilience in her Citroën C3, winning her category despite stiff competition. The duo edged out Arianna Doriguzzi/Elena Sica to take the season title, though local favourite Patrizia Sciascia, co-driven by Roberto Longo, won the Sanremo event.
GR Yaris Rally Cup showdown
The final round of the GR Yaris Rally Cup saw Fabrizio Andolfi/Riccardo Imerito secure victory. Andolfi held off pre-crowned champion Thomas Paperini and his co-driver Andrea Gabelloni to claim the top spot in this one-make series. Mattia Vita/Emanuele Dinelli rounded out the podium, completing an exciting conclusion to the season.
Overall Results
01: G. Basso/L. Granai (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) – 1h 18m 22.4s
02: A. Crugnola/P. Ometto (Citroën C3 Rally2) + 7.8s
03: S. Campedelli/T. Canton (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) + 8.0s
04: R. Dapra’/L. Guglielmetti (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) + 1m 08.4s
05: M. Signor/D. Michi (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) + 1m 43.5s
06: B. Avbelj/D. Andrejka (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) + 1m 49.3s
07: A. Mabellini/V. Lenzi (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) + 2m 48.7
08: N. Sartor/L. Mattucci (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) + 3m 14.0s
09: E. Chentre/F. Boglietti (Škoda Fabia Evo Rally2) + 3m 15.9s
10: F. Santini/M. Barsotti (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) + 4m 14.6s
