(29.07.2019) Jakub Przygonski and Timo Gottschalk (Mini John Cooper Works Rally) finished third in Baja Aragon – round four of FIA World Cup for Baja Rallies. Cup standings leaders Vladimir Vasilyev and Konstantin Zhilcov took fifth place, which means that Pole closed the gap to Russian driver.

As many as nine Polish competitors entered Baja Aragon. Przygonski were joined by Sebastian Rozwadowski (co-driver of Benediktas Vanagas in Toyota Hilux),

Tadeusz Rzezuchowski/Wojciech Jermakow (Dacia Duster), Tomasz Bialkowski/ Dariusz Baskiewicz (Can-Am Maverick X3). Jakub Piatek (2nd in FIM World Cup standings) and ORLEN Team representatives – Adam Tomiczek and Maciej Giemza competed on bikes.

Przygonski proved his pace finishing second on opening stage of Spanish World Cup counter. Unfortunately, Mini driver suffered a puncture on following test and dropped to third overall. Penultimate stage brought another change – Nani Roma and Alex Haro took the third place from Polish-German duo. Przygonski answered on the final stage, when he clocked 2^nd time and went up to third overall, ahead of Prokop and Tomanek (Ford Raptor). Vanagas and Rozwadowski were forced to retire due to engine failure. World Cup leaders – Vladimir Vasilyev and Konstantin Zhilcov (Toyota Hilux) came fifth.

What is more, Baja Aragon was round four of Spanish Cross Country Championship. Bialkowski and Baskiewicz in Can-Am Maverick X3 won this event in Open class, while Rzezuchowski i Jermakow (Dacia Duster) took 8^th place in this category.

Maciej Giemza was top-placed Pole among FIM World Cup competitors. ORLEN Team biker finished in 6^th position. Adam Tomiczek and Jakub Piatek were 11^th and 12^th respectively.

Vasilyev kept the lead in FIA World Cup standings after Baja Aragon. Russian driver scored 64 points. Second-placed Orlando Terranova scored four points less. Przygonski (46 points) reduced Vasilyev’s advantage by six points. Hungarian Baja (8-11 August) is the next round of FIA World Cup, followed by ORLEN Baja Poland (29 August – 1 September).

Picture: ORLEN Team