The legend lives on. The Targa Florio, the world’s oldest car race, returns to the rugged roads of Sicily this weekend as the third round of the Sparco Italian Absolute Rally Championship (CIAR). Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Madonie Mountains, the 109th edition of this motorsport monument will test the best rally crews in Italy—and beyond—across 12 demanding stages and 109 competitive kilometres.
From May 8–10, the spiritual heart of Italian rallying beats in Palermo, where the event kicks off in Piazza Verdi. With 206 crews entered—spanning CIAR, the Coppa di Zona, Auto Storiche, and several one-make trophies—this year’s Targa Florio is set to be a showstopper.
The historic stage is set
The rally’s DNA remains unchanged: pure asphalt warfare over narrow, twisty, mountainous tarmac. But 2025 introduces a modern edge, combining tradition with innovation. The Circuito delle Madonie hosts four classic stages, each run three times:
- Targa (10 km)
- Campofelice–Collesano (12.6 km)
- Scillato–Polizzi (13.15 km)
- La Generosa (2.25 km), which also serves as the all-important Power Stage
The service park and rally HQ return to the University of Palermo, with the ceremonial finish and prize-giving scheduled for Saturday afternoon.
Title race tightens at the top
Two rounds in, two different winners. Giandomenico Basso opened the season with a bang at Il Ciocco, while reigning champion Andrea Crugnola struck back in Alba. Crugnola—driving a Citroën C3 prepared by FPF Sport—now holds a slender one-point lead thanks to his Power Stage win in Piedmont.
The Targa Florio could be the decider that tilts momentum one way or the other. Crugnola, after all, is a three-time winner here—level with Sicilian legend Nino Vaccarella and second only to rally icons Paolo Andreucci (10 wins) and Franco Cunico (5).
Behind the leaders, the battle is heating up:
- Bostjan Avbelj (Skoda Fabia RS) sits just 8 points off the top and has been quietly gathering pace and Power Stage points.
- Simone Campedelli (Skoda, Dream One Racing) is playing catch-up after a DNF at Il Ciocco.
- Fabio Andolfi, now in a factory Toyota GR Yaris Rally1, scored a podium in Alba and is looking dangerous.
- Marco Signor, the reigning CIAR Promozione champ, is adapting quickly to his new Toyota setup.
And don’t count out local hopeful Marco Pollara, who’s aiming for Promozione glory in front of his home crowd.
CIAR Junior: Youth on the rise
Ten crews line up in identical Renault Clio Rally5s for the third round of the CIAR Junior Championship, Italy’s proving ground for the next generation. Matteo Greco leads the charge following a podium in Tuscany and a win at home in Alba.
But hot on his heels is Mattia Ricciu, while Geronimo Nerobutto—a dominant force at Il Ciocco—looks to recover lost ground after a costly slip-up in Alba. With the top five separated by just a few points, the Targa Florio could shuffle the Junior deck yet again.
Two-Wheel Drive showdown and trophies galore
The Italian 2WD Championship also heads to Sicily with a fiercely contested leaderboard. Davide Pesavento (30.5 points) leads the charge, but Giorgio Cogni and Gianandrea Pisani are close behind—each former Junior champs with plenty of pedigree.
All eyes will also be on the Lancia Ypsilon HF Rally4, making its competition debut under the newly launched Lancia Trophy. Twenty entries are confirmed for this nostalgic yet competitive one-make cup.
Alongside CIAR, two major single-make trophies return:
- The GR Yaris Rally Cup, where Tommaso Paleari leads the standings but faces stiff local resistance from Salvatore Lo Cascio
- The Suzuki Rally Cup, with Jean Claude Vallino riding high after his Alba win, while Sicilian veteran Giorgio Fichera looks to shake things up at home
From heritage to horsepower, the 2025 Targa Florio is more than just a rally—it’s a cultural celebration of speed.