Fourmaux edges Rovanpera in Monte Carlo preparation rally

Adrien Fourmaux clinched victory on his first aggressive outing for Hyundai after beating Toyota’s Kalle Rovanpera at Rallye Nationwide Hivernal du Devoluy.

Hyundai and Toyota opted to discipline Fourmaux and Rovanpera within the French rally to kick begin their drivers’ preparations for subsequent month’s 2025 World Rally Championship season opener in Monte Carlo.

The ten stage asphalt rally additionally supplied up a chance to check the all-new Hankook management tyres and the non-hybrid variations of the GR Yaris and i20 N Rally1 automobiles.

The rally was Fourmaux’s first behind the wheel of the i20, after finishing a transfer to affix the Korean marque from M-Sport-Ford earlier this month.

Fourmaux took the victory by 15.5s from Rovanpera, with third place going to the Citroen C3 Rally2 pushed by former sportscar racer Jonathan Hirschi, 6m02.9s adrift.

Fourmaux managed to tame troublesome snowy situations to maneuver into the rally lead after stage two, La Bachassette 1 (24.21km).

Two-time world champion Rovanpera responded by successful the following two phases to shut to inside 16 seconds of the Frenchman on the finish of Saturday’s opening leg.

However Fourmaux was 6.3s sooner than Rovanpera by means of stage 5 (Les Gillardes, 13.65km) to open the lead again as much as 22.3s. The benefit elevated to 26 seconds after stage seven.

Rovanpera claimed the following two phases to arrange an exciting climax, as solely 9.5s separated the pair heading into the ultimate stage. Nonetheless, Fourmaux took the ultimate stage by six seconds from Rovanpera to clinch victory.

The annual WRC curtain raiser in Monte Carlo will likely be staged on 23-26 January.