The 40th edition of San Marino Rally, round 7 of Intercontinental Rally Challenge turned into a real thriller. The gravel rally which is in the IRC calender for the first time offered a lot of emotions for the spectators as the first place battle between Giandomenico Basso and Andreas Mikkelsen was more than epic. 

At the end Basso, driving a Ford Fiesta RRC, managed to take his fifth IRC win. Both Basso and Mikkelsen (Skoda Fabia S2000) were swapping 1st and 2nd place throughout the rally and in the second day they even had equal times.

Giandomenico Basso managed to set a strong pace in the final stages and despite the late attack of Mikkelsen manged to stay just 2.8 seconds infront at the end of the rally.

Another Italian - Umberto Scandola (Skoda Fabia S2000) took the last place on the podium with a gap of 1:41.6 minutes behind Basso.

Behind the wheel of a Subaru Impreza R4 the Finnish driver Jarko Nikkara took the victory in the production cup.

In the 2WD category first place was for the British driver Harry Hunt (Citroen DS3 R3T).

Next round of IRC is Sibiu Rally in romania which will be held from 19th to 21st of July.