Four Italians travel thousands of kilometers toward Asia in a 23-year-old car to test self-reliance

A small 2003 Suzuki Ignis, a tent, a map, and a rock music playlist—these are roughly the essentials for four Italians who decided to embark on one of the world’s most renowned car adventures: a journey spanning thousands of kilometers from Europe to Kazakhstan.

The team, known as “Genghis Can’t” according to Italian media, comprises Emanuele Bertacchi, Costanza Nuccetini, Stefano Bampori, and Mattia Dantoni. The members set off from Milan on July 6, before joining the Mongol Rally, which officially began in Prague on July 12.

The event differs significantly from conventional rallies: there is no arrival order, no mandatory route, and no maintenance crews waiting to assist competitors when breakdowns occur. The simple idea is to reach eastern Kazakhstan in an old, small car, relying entirely on self-sufficiency to deal with whatever arises on the road.

Specialized rally sources confirm that the 2026 edition will cover approximately 16,000 kilometers, while the Italian team planned a journey that could reach around 18,000 kilometers, depending on the route they choose.

During the trip, the team crossed Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, and Georgia, before heading toward Central Asia. Bertacchi stated that they had already covered roughly 10,000 kilometers by the time they reached the border between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Strangely, breakdowns are not something the organizers of the Mongol Rally try to avoid; rather, they are a fundamental part of its philosophy: no organized mechanical assistance, and no guarantee that the car will even reach the finish line. The official deadline for arrival and the closing of the finish line is set for August 22.