Alberto Battistolli and Simone Scattolin clinched their maiden Italian Gravel Rally Championship (CIRT) title in spectacular fashion at the 17th Rally delle Marche, delivering a commanding victory in their Škoda Fabia RS. The MRF-backed duo dominated the dirt stages, securing back-to-back wins that sealed the championship after a rollercoaster season of redemption.
Battistolli surged into the lead early on the picturesque but treacherous Marche dirt roads, posting the fastest time in the opening stage and never relinquishing his advantage. His triumph was cemented as championship rivals Tommaso Ciuffi/Pietro Cigni were forced to retire after an off-road mishap in the penultimate stage while chasing down Battistolli.
“We put everything into this season—a huge gamble at the start, and it paid off,” an elated Battistolli said at the finish line, surrounded by jubilant fans. “Thanks to my co-driver Simone, MRF Tyres, and the incredible team effort, this dream season became a reality.”
Ciuffi’s heartbreak as Battistolli seizes the moment
For Ciuffi and Cigni, the heartbreak was palpable. Leading the championship into the final round, the duo needed to outpace Battistolli to secure the title. A spin in the opening stage put them on the back foot, but they clawed back time aggressively before disaster struck in the final kilometers. Their off-road excursion dashed their hopes and left Battistolli with an unassailable 30-second lead.
Finnish flair and late podium drama
The race for the podium provided its own fireworks. Finland’s Jaakko Lavio, partnered with debut navigator Kristian Temonen, delivered a sensational drive in his Škoda Fabia R5 Evo. Lavio snatched second place from seasoned Italian rally star Umberto Scandola with a blistering final stage, making up a remarkable 12.8 seconds to finish just 4.3 seconds ahead.
“This result is a huge confidence boost,” Lavio remarked. “It sets the tone for 2025, and I’m ready to take on the challenge.”
Scandola, alongside co-driver Paolo Cargnelutti, settled for third after a strong performance hampered by a costly time loss in Stage 3. Despite four stage wins, Scandola fell short in his bid for the runner-up spot but rounded off a solid campaign with third overall in the championship.
Rising stars and emotional victories
Young talent Angelo Pucci Grossi continued his meteoric rise, claiming fifth overall and securing the ACI Sport Under-25 Cup—a heartfelt achievement dedicated to his late father, rallying legend “Pucci” Grossi. “This is for my dad,” Grossi said, visibly moved. “It’s been a season of growth, and I can’t wait to build on this success.”
In the Over-55 category, veteran Marco Gianesini capped off a stellar season with sixth place, clinching the ACI Sport Over-55 Cup in his Škoda Fabia Evo. Meanwhile, Enrico Oldrati delivered a commendable fourth-place finish, showcasing consistent improvement throughout the season.
Further down the leaderboard, Emanuele Dati redeemed a challenging year with a solid seventh place, while Luca Hoelbling marked his return to the CIRT with an eighth-place finish.
Women in Rally and supporting cast shine
Tamara Molinaro, one of CIRT’s leading female drivers, rounded out her season with an impressive drive, battling back into the mix on familiar Italian dirt roads. Meanwhile, the Two-Wheel Drive Cup was won by Fabio Farina and Daniel Pozzi in a Peugeot 208, setting the stage for an exciting 2025 season.
Rally delle Marche Final Results
01: A. Battistolli/S. Scattolin (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) – 47m 22.6s
02: J. Lavio/K. Temonen (Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo) + 19.3s
03: U. Scandola/P. Cargnelutti (Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo) + 23.6s
04: E. Oldrati/G. Ciucci (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 Evo) + 31.3s
05: A-P. Grossi/F. Cardinali (Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo) + 51.2s
06: M. Gianesini/M. Bergonzi (Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo) + 1m 19.0s
07: E. Dati/D. Darderi (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) + 1m 32.7s
08: L. Hoelbling/F, Fiorini (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) + 1m 49.6s
09: F. Epis/S. Tiraboschi (Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo) + 2m 14.4s
10: A. Zorzi/R. Franzoni (Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo) + 2m 16.2s