LUSAIL (Qatar): Argentina’s Juan Cruz Yacopini and Spanish co-driver Dani Oliveras claimed a breakthrough triumph at the Qatar International Baja, overcoming intense desert conditions to secure their first win in the event — and, with it, the Ultimate category title in the 2025 FIA World Baja Cup.
Starting the final day 2 minutes 42.4 seconds behind leaders Denis Krotov and Konstantin Zhiltsov, the Toyota Hilux duo launched an all-out charge through the demanding southern dunes. Their persistence paid off when Krotov’s X-raid Mini JCW suffered a broken front differential, forcing him to retire and handing Yacopini a dramatic victory ahead of Czech rivals Martin Prokop and Viktor Chytka.
Yacopini said: “I’m super happy to finish this race. Today’s stage was super tough… We knew we had to push really hard. Now we have won the category in the World Cup. We have worked hard for this all year.”
Runner-up Prokop praised the competition, noting: “It was a very good test — difficult navigation, new car, and close racing. Yacopini did a very good job. We didn’t win, but it was great fun to drive in these conditions.”
