After missing two rounds of the FIA World Baja Cup to compete in the Taklimakan Rally in China, Aliyyah Koloc joins team-mate Adam Lacko this weekend as Buggyra ZM Racing takes on the 2026 Italian Baja, an event counting towards both the FIA World Baja Cup and the FIA European Baja Cup.
Similar weather conditions to the recent Baja TT Cuenca could prevail at the Italian Baja this weekend
Koloc’s absence from the World Baja Cup was no ordinary break. The Dubai-born 21-year-old driver tackled the grueling 17-day Taklimakan Rally through the deserts and challenging terrain of northwestern China, finishing 10th overall as the highest-placed non-Chinese and female competitor. Now she returns to the Baja calendar, pairing once more with Polish co-driver Marcin Pasek in the turbocharged Red-Lined Revo GTR for what will be her second FIA World Baja Cup this season.
She will be joined by her team-mate, Czech driver Adam Lacko, who is again navigated by Italian co-driver Mirko Brun in the Red-Lined Revo T1. Both crews compete in the Ultimate category, the top class of off-road rally raids.
At their first event this season, the Baja TT Cuenca in Spain, Lacko delivered a composed debut in his first-ever rally raid event, finishing fifth in the Ultimate category, while Koloc was running as high as third before a driving error on a slippery, muddy final stage meant they had to retire the car.
Now Italy brings a fresh set of unknowns for both drivers. Koloc has been focused on returning to her training routine and simulator work since coming back from China. « I’ve never raced in Italy, so I’m not sure how the terrain is, » she says, « but I’m expecting some water, maybe similar to Spain, which isn’t really my favorite type of terrain to drive. »
Lacko, for his part, is leaning on an advantage Spain couldn’t offer him with a co-driver who knows the roads. « It’s his home race, » Lacko says of Brun, « so we’ll have the advantage that he knows the terrain better than me, that he’ll guide me a bit faster, so we can achieve the best possible result. » Having studied onboard footage from previous editions to prepare, he adds: « It’s yet again a completely different terrain, and it looks really interesting, so I’m full of anticipation. »
About the Italian Baja
The Italian Baja has drawn a record 54-car entry, with 15 crews registered for the FIA World Baja Cup and a similar number for the FIA European Baja Cup, making it one of the most competitive fields of the season.
The event is based in Pordenone and runs from June 25–28. The route covers 674.88km in total, of which 432.20km are timed. Friday opens with a Shakedown at San Martino al Tagliamento before a 14.05km Prologue sets the starting order for the main event. Saturday is the competitive heart of the weekend, with two timed sections of 84.10km and 75.79km each run twice across the day. Sunday features two shorter concluding stages of 38.39km and 59.98km respectively, before the podium ceremony in Pordenone on Sunday afternoon.
Event schedule
Thursday, June 25
21.30 hrs Ceremonial start, Piazza XX Settembre, Pordenone
Friday, June 26
09.00 hrs Shakedown, San Martino al Tagliamento
17.30 hrs Prologue, Guilia Maroni: 14.05km
Saturday, June 27
08.30hrs – Stage 1A – FCG1, Cordenons-San Paolo: 84.10km
09.45hrs – Stage 1B – Madrisio-Basiliano: 75.79km
14.30hrs – Stage 2A – FVG 2, Cordenons-San Paolo: 84.10km
15.45hrs – Stage 2B – Madrisio-Basiliano: 75.79km
Sunday, June 28
09.00hrs – Stage 3A – Tagliamento, Bonzicco-Dignano: 38.39km
09.40hrs – Stage 3B – Madrisio-Vacile: 59.98km
14.00hrs – Podium ceremony – Fiera, Pavillon 5
Alexandra Schieren,