DIPALMA EXTENDS LEAD WITH DOMINANT CANNOBINA PERFORMANCE AT RALLY VALLI OSSOLANE

Skoda driver opens a 20-second advantage as battle for second place intensifies ahead of the final loop

Giuseppe "Giò" Dipalma and co-driver Roberto Mometti moved a step closer to victory at Rally Valli Ossolane after a commanding performance on Sunday morning's stages.

The fight for the lead briefly tightened when Corrado Pinzano and Mauro Turati gained three seconds on the Fomarco stage. However, Dipalma immediately responded on the demanding Cannobina test, delivering the fastest time and pulling 14.4 seconds clear of his rivals.

The impressive stage win allowed the Skoda Fabia RS crew to increase their overall advantage to more than 20 seconds with only one loop of stages remaining.

“Dipalma delivered a potentially decisive blow on the Cannobina stage, extending his lead to over 20 seconds before the final afternoon tests.”

While the battle for victory appears to be shifting in Dipalma's favour, the fight for second place remains wide open. Pinzano continues to hold the runner-up position, but only by three-tenths of a second from Marco Signor and Daniele Michi in their Toyota GR Yaris Rally2.

Local favourites Davide Caffoni and Mauro Grossi occupy fourth place, 26.2 seconds behind the leader, followed by Pizio-Tozzini and Re-Pozzi. The latter crew, one of the few competitors running Michelin tyres, continues to recover after losing valuable time during Saturday night's stages.

Tight Fight Continues in Two-Wheel-Drive Category

In the Two-Wheel-Drive classification, Igor Iani and Paolo Urban strengthened their position at the front aboard a Lancia Ypsilon Rally4.

After a closely contested battle throughout the rally, Iani gained 7.8 seconds over Nicolò Ardizzone and Alessandro Scartabelli on the Cannobina stage to create a more comfortable margin.

“Iani's strong pace on Cannobina gave the Lancia crew valuable breathing space in the Two-Wheel-Drive category.”

KEY POINTS

• Dipalma and Mometti lead Rally Valli Ossolane by more than 20 seconds.

• The Skoda Fabia RS crew gained 14.4 seconds on rivals during the Cannobina stage.

• Pinzano remains second overall but leads Signor by only 0.3 seconds.

• Local stars Caffoni and Grossi hold fourth place.

• Igor Iani extended his Two-Wheel-Drive lead in a Lancia Ypsilon Rally4.

• Three special stages remain, including the Domobianca365 Power Stage.