Two-time European champion Basso managed to hold off title contender and fellow Pirelli-shod driver Andrea Mabellini on the final stage to take the win by 3.7sec in stifling temperatures. The triumph follows previous victories at the asphalt event in 2019 and 2021 for Basso.

Mabellini's ERC title hopes were boosted with this first podium of the season, beating the Michelin-equipped Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 of current championship leader Miko Marczyk by 7.4sec.

After tying for 10th on Friday's super special in the centre of Rome - in front of the famous Colosseum - Basso quickly rose up the leaderboard on Saturday, getting locked in an intense battle for victory with compatriot and two-time event winner Andrea Crugnola.

The gap between the two never exceeded five seconds across Saturday with Crugnola taking a 3.3sec lead into Sunday. Basso continued to apply pressure on the final morning, whittling the Citroën C3 Rally2 driver's lead down to 2.7sec after SS8, before snatching the rally lead by 0.2sec after winning SS9.

However, Crugnola fought back and reclaimed the lead by 2.5sec going into midday service before his victory hopes were dashed with just three stages to run. Two minutes late coming out of a regroup, Crugnola incurred a 20sec penalty which handed Basso a 9.5sec lead over Marczyk, while Crugnola dropped to fifth.

Basso then headed into the final stage with a 5.1sec margin over Mabellini, who leapt ahead of Marczyk after winning SS13. Basso held his nerve to hang on to take the impressive win.

Marczyk claimed a thoroughly deserved podium, having grabbed the headlines on Saturday thanks to fastest times on SS2 and SS3 which helped the Polish driver into an early rally lead, before an overshoot on SS4 halted his charge. Marczyk ended the weekend on a high by winning the rally-ending Power Stage by 0.1sec from Roberto Dapra.

WRC2 Sardegna winner Dapra delivered a strong showing throughout to finish fourth. Two stage wins on Saturday afternoon helped the young Italian charge up the leaderboard, having sat in eighth position at midday service.

Crugnola came home in fifth after his time penalty, while fellow Italian Simone Campedelli enjoyed a strong Sunday, including wins on both passes through Guarcino - Altipiani, to climb to sixth.

Efrén Llarena was another moving up the leaderboard on Sunday as the 2022 ERC champion continued to gel with his new Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 to finish seventh.

Norwegian Mads Østberg found himself locked in a fight for the podium on Saturday before balance struggles with his Citroën C3 Rally2 halted his progress seeing him eventually settle for eighth, ahead of Friday pacesetter Boštjan Avbelj and Czech champion Dominik Stříteský.

Tymek Abramowski won the FIA ERC3 class from Hubert Kowalczyk, with Casey Jay Coleman in third. Opel Corsa-driving Calle Carlberg took the FIA ERC4 and FIA Junior ERC win from Jaspar Vaher (Lancia Ypsilon Rally4 HF) as Ireland's Craig Rahill finished third (Peugeot 208 Rally4).

The championship heads to Barum Czech Rally Zlín for round six from 15-17 August.

FINAL STANDINGS:
1. G Basso / L Granai ITA Škoda Fabia RS 2h 4m 11.2s
2. A Mabellini / V Lenzi ITA Škoda Fabia RS +3.7s
3. M Marczyk / S Gospodarczyk POL Škoda Fabia RS +7.4s
4. R Daprà / L Guglielmetti ITA Škoda Fabia RS +10.1s
5. A Crugnola / P Ometto ITA Citroën C3 Rally2 +14.3s
6. S Campedelli / T Canton ITA Škoda Fabia RS +16.1s ...