ROBERTO DAPRA ERC VICTORY: ITALIAN CLAIMS MAIDEN RALLY DI ROMA CAPITALE WIN

HOME HERO SECURES FIRST FIA EUROPEAN RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP WIN AFTER CONTROLLING THE FINAL DAY IN ROME

Roberto Dapra celebrated a career-defining victory by claiming his maiden FIA European Rally Championship win at Rally di Roma Capitale, converting his overnight lead into a commanding success on home asphalt.

The Italian driver and co-driver Luca Guglielmetti began Sunday's final leg with a 20.2-second advantage. Dapra immediately strengthened his position by winning the opening stage of the day, extending his lead to 25.0 seconds before managing the remaining stages to secure victory.

Driving a Pirelli-equipped Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 prepared by Delta Rally, the 25-year-old crossed the finish line with a winning margin of 13.8 seconds.

The result marks Dapra's first ERC victory and makes him the eighth Junior ERC graduate to win an FIA European Rally Championship event outright, highlighting the series' role in developing future rally talent.

"Crazy, crazy, we are very happy. It was demanding today, very, very stressful. But we managed to win. And after last week in Greece, I think that we deserve this big emotion, and I am very, very happy." - Roberto Dapra

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZSUz4BxM_I

Behind the winner, Teemu Suninen secured second place in another Skoda Fabia RS Rally2, a result that moved the Finn to the top of the provisional FIA ERC standings by four points after three rounds.

The fight for the final podium position remained close throughout the final day. Giandomenico Basso moved ahead of Bostjan Avbelj after the Slovenian spun on SS8, but Avbelj recovered on the penultimate stage to reclaim third place before winning the Power Stage.

Despite his late charge, Avbelj finished just 0.5 seconds behind Suninen in the battle for second overall.

"Winning an ERC event on home roads is a major milestone for Roberto Dapra, who controlled the final day to secure his first European Rally Championship victory."

Key Points

• Roberto Dapra claimed his maiden FIA European Rally Championship victory.

• Dapra and Luca Guglielmetti won Rally di Roma Capitale on home soil.

• The Italian started Sunday with a 20.2-second overnight lead.

• He extended the advantage to 25.0 seconds by winning the opening stage of the day.

• Dapra managed the remaining stages to win by 13.8 seconds.

• The victory makes him the eighth Junior ERC graduate to win an ERC event outright.

• Teemu Suninen finished second and moved to the top of the provisional ERC standings.

• Bostjan Avbelj secured third after recovering from an SS8 spin and winning the Power Stage.

Position	Driver	Co-driver	Car	Gap
1	Roberto Dapra	Luca Guglielmetti	Skoda Fabia RS Rally2	Winner
2	Teemu Suninen	Antti Haapala	Skoda Fabia RS Rally2	+13.8s
3	Bostjan Avbelj	Elia De Guio	Skoda Fabia RS Rally2	+14.3s
4	Giandomenico Basso	Lorenzo Granai	Skoda Fabia RS Rally2	+17.5s