WRC 2
Rossel takes control of WRC2 in Canarias
Yohan Rossel ended Friday with a commanding WRC2 lead at Rally Islas Canarias after a strong opening day on Gran Canaria’s high-grip asphalt roads.
The Frenchman completed the first full day of competition 22.0sec clear of Alejandro Cachón, with younger brother and championship leader Léo Rossel a further 4.9sec back in third.
Driving his Lancia, Rossel built his advantage across the island’s full-length mountain stages, making the most of the clean, flowing roads while many of his rivals struggled to find confidence with the front of their cars.
Rossel moved ahead of Léo on Friday morning’s Valleseco - Artenara test, then stretched the gap significantly on Mogán - La Aldea, where he was 10.1sec faster than his brother. Further time gains followed in the afternoon as he continued to manage the tyres and rhythm better than the chasing pack.
“We adapted the front and we pushed very well,” said Rossel after the morning pass of Mogán - La Aldea. “I pushed to the maximum.”
He was even happier after the second pass, having taken another 7.4sec from Léo.
“For the moment, we understand the tyre, we understand when it is out, and the chassis, the balance is very good this afternoon,” he said. “We can push more when we want, and it’s an incredible feeling.”
© WRC
Cachón quietly climbed into second during the day, ending Friday 22.0sec from the lead and 4.9sec ahead of Léo Rossel. The Spaniard, competing on home asphalt, closed the day with a cautious run through the Gran Canaria Stadium super special but remains firmly in contention heading into Saturday.
Léo Rossel had spoken before the rally of an expected fight with his brother, but admitted early in the day that Yohan and Lancia were setting a fierce pace.
“It is good. I push a lot on the limit,” said Léo. “But Yohan and Lancia are flying in this race.”
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Eric Camilli completed Friday fourth in WRC2, 37.3sec from the lead, with Roberto Daprà fifth after briefly starring on Thursday evening’s stadium opener when he set the third-fastest time overall. Jan Solans was sixth, ahead of Nikolay Gryazin, who dropped time during the afternoon after damaging a wheel and reporting heavy understeer in his Lancia.
Enrique Cruz, Yuki Yamamoto and Giovanni Trentin completed the top 10, with Trentin ending the day on a high by setting the fastest WRC2 time on the final stadium stage.
