The spectacular World Rally Championship in Sardinia
From 5 to 8 June, the traditional scenarios and routes of the north of the Island are the protagonists, with a logistics base in Olbia
The roar of engines, the skill of the drivers, adrenaline and captivating landscapes. The Rally Italia Sardegna celebrates its twenty-second anniversary, as always in the name of entertainment, emotions and breathtaking scenery. Alternating with the previous edition in Alghero, the ‘epicentre’ of the event - valid as the sixth round of the 2025 World Rally Championship – is in Olbia: the service park is set up at the Isola Bianca, a stone’s throw from the centre of the ‘capital’ of Gallura. It’s an opportunity to admire the intriguing mixture of contemporary mood and the legacy of the past, narrated in the archaeological museum. Another attraction not to be missed is the ancient basilica of San Simplicio. The city looks out over the spectacular gulf right next to the Costa Smeralda with a series of alternating picture postcard beaches along its coast: Porto Istana, in the Tavolara Marine Area, the Playa di Pittulongu and, to the north, Bados, Marina di Cugnana and Portisco.
68 teams at the starting line, representing 29 countries. All the big names are present, including 4 world champions: Ogier, Tanak, Neuville e Rovanpera. With them, there are protagonists of the circuit like Evans, Katsuta e Munster. Also up for grabs are the titles for the WRC2 and WRC3 minor. The programme includes surprises and eagerly-awaited comebacks: 16 special rounds, divided into three stages, making a total of 320 timed kilometres, all on dirt track. The shakedown is scheduled to take place in Olbia on the morning of Thursday 5 June, carved from the legendary Cabu Abbas stage – a perfect setting to fine-tune setups and make final tweaks before the battle begins. Things heat up on Friday, 6 June, with three stages, each run twice. It all kicks off with the classic ‘Arzachena’, known in previous editions as La Prugnola, followed by the much-anticipated Telti – Calangianus – Berchidda stage, winding through rows of vermentino vines, cork oak woods and granite boulders. The day closes with the comeback of Sa Conchedda, once part of the legendary Monti di Alà stage, nestled in the wild and rugged scenery of Monte Acuto.
Saturday 7 June features three timed stages, each repeated twice, all deeply loved by rally fans. The day opens with the 21-kilometre Coiluna–Loelle stage, set once again against the rugged beauty of Monte Acuto. This is a land of dramatic ridges and whimsical wind-carved rock formations, dense forests, dizzying valleys crossed by streams, ponds and waterfalls, and fast gravel tracks that seem tailor-made for world-class rallying. The excitement peaks during the second stage of the day, when drivers take on the iconic and spectacular Micky’s Jump – a true symbol of the Rally Italia Sardegna – on the legendary Lerno–Su Filigosu special. It’s a moment that’s never been missed in the rally’s twenty-one-year history. Then comes the part that runs from Erula, a little village in the Anglona area, featuring a ‘scattered’ urban centre, typical of the Gallura stazzi, to Tula, a pretty village in the Logudoro area with a view of Lake Coghinas and surrounded by valleys and woods. Just outside the village stands the country church of Nostra Signora di Coros.
The grand finale is set for Sunday, 8 June, with two major surprises in store. The final 79 kilometres are split between the return of the San Giacomo–Plebi stage—back after more than a decade—and the debut of the brand-new Porto San Paolo stage, which will host the Power Stage on its second run. The first stage covers over 24 kilometres along a route almost entirely redesigned, with just a short section preserved from the original version. Porto San Paolo, meanwhile, captures the very soul of Rally Italia Sardegna: a thrilling blend of adrenaline and spectacle set against the island’s most breathtaking panoramas. The course opens up to sweeping views of the Gallura coastline, culminating in an unforgettable moment: the majestic outline of Tavolara Island, the iconic image of the 2025 edition. The awards ceremony will return to Olbia, around 4:00 PM, featuring the rally’s 2025 ambassador Federica Pellegrini. And, as tradition demands, the winner will celebrate alongside their team with a dive into the harbour waters—an unforgettable splash to crown a weekend of pure motorsport magic.
