Again Andrea Crugnola in a Citroen C3, again Pirelli. For the second year running, these were the names on the top step of the podium at the Rally di Roma Capitale, a round of the Fia European Rally Championship and the Italian Asphalt Championship, which, as is often the case, provided a great show, not only in the first leg at the Colosseum, but also on the winding roads around Fiuggi.
Together with Crugnola, who drove a well planned and strategically sound rally there was another Pirelli runner on the podium, namely Simone Campedelli, who finished second in a Skoda Fabia thus ensuring the Italian Championship battle is still wide open.
Sixth was reigning champion Hayden Paddon in a Hyundai i 20, thus retains the lead in the championship standings.
The fate of the rally was decided on Saturday morning, especially in the first long stage (the 28.74 km SS3 Santopadre – Fontana Liri) and in the following one, in which Crugnola extended his lead over his pursuers, thanks also to the excellent performance of the P Zero Hard RA5A tyres, which ensured grip, resistance and low wear in very challenging stages, marked by high temperatures. On Sunday, the Lombardy driver managed his lead, while still winning most of the stages, including the 32.30-kilometre Rocca di Piave-Subiaco and the Power Stage.
