Image: Photo credits: VP = Vytautas Pilkauskas / M = MCH Photo.

Dakar Rally legend Benediktas Vanagas and co-driver Aisvydas Paliukėnas are set to tackle one of the most demanding challenges on the calendar as the FIA European Baja Cup arrives in Italy this week.

The Italian Baja, running from June 25-28, represents the third round of the European BajaCup and a crucial stop on the world stage. A massive entry list of 90 crews, representing four continents and 28 nations, will descend on the region to navigate its notorious technical terrain.

A Familiar Battlefield
For Vanagas, the event is steeped in history. The Lithuanian driver first competed here in 2015 and considers it his second home on the racing circuit.

"It is probably the Baja I visit most,said Vanagas. I have history here. It is easily the wettest event in the series. We have had our share of engine issues before due to deep water crossings and hydrolocking, which forced us out early.

The course is famous for its unforgiving nature, featuring deep river fords and dried-out riverbeds that demand absolute precision from the navigator.

Organizers have revised the route for 2026, removing flood-prone zones to improve safety and reduce the extreme toll on machinery.

Building Toward Dakar
Coming off a podium finish last year - where the duo secured third overall and a European Cup stage victory - the Gurtam Toyota Gazoo Racing Baltics team is using this event as a vital calibration point.

While the 2026 season has been challenging, Vanagas remains focused on the bigger picture: the Dakar Rally.

"The European Cup is all about preparation," ; Vanagas noted. "It is about building team competencies and refining our processes. We are here to fight for the win, but also to sharpen the systems that are vital for our long-term goals"

The team will compete in their Toyota GR DKR Hilux EVO T1+ Ultimate, aiming to maintain momentum across the eight-round European series. With only six of the eight rounds counting toward the final standing