Giandomenico Basso and co-driver Mitia Dotta finished third at Rally Russia, achieving a podium result with their Grande Punto S2000 on the sixth round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge.

Thanks to the result obtained in what was a very tough Russian event, Basso moves up one place to rank fourth in the drivers' standings.

Things were complicated by a series of issues over the three-day race, including a water leak affecting the engine, balancing problems, and two punctures - enough for Basso to state his happiness "to grab some points after such a difficult rally."

More importantly, the Italian added that the points score will help to "boost our season."

Young Finn Anton Alen and co-driver Timo Alanne completed the last leg under SuperRally regulations after tearing off a wheel on Day Two's final stage and receiving a 10-minute penalty after the rally ended.

There is a positive note for Rally Russia's 2007 winner however as he nonetheless managed to climb back up to sixth place, with the additional satisfaction of being the only driver to take at least one stage victory away from this year's eventual winner, Juho Hanninen.

The next round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge is the Madeira Rally, which will be held from 30 July to 1 August on the Portuguese island.