Giandomenico Basso withdraws from Rally Madeira with vertebra fracture

Italian rally driver Giandomenico Basso was forced to retire from the Rally Madeira after sustaining a fracture of the D4 vertebra. The injury occurred during a high‑speed jump on the third special stage (PS3 Palheiro Ferreiro), where a hard landing caused intense back pain. Medical examinations at CUF Hospital, including X‑ray and CT scans, confirmed the fracture, leading to his immediate withdrawal and a three‑month ban from all sport activities.

Basso, who had been leading after the second special stage and was piloting a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, attempted to continue after the initial pain but lost control during a subsequent compression, puncturing a wheel. His team provided physiotherapy and medication, but the condition worsened. Basso said, "Con grande dispiacere siamo stati costretti al ritiro al Rali da Madeira..." expressing his disappointment and focusing on recovery.