The duo of Sergi Francolí and Xevi Moreno, driving a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, secured victory in the 5th Les Masies de Voltregà Rally. Francolí established a significant 20-second lead during the first stage, a margin he expertly managed to maintain until the end, finishing ahead of French drivers Jordan Berfa and Kévin Mendrico, who were second in their Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 HF.
The event, organized by V-Line Org and the Les Masies de Voltregà City Council, has grown year by year, with the key collaboration of Manlleu and Taradell. This year, the introduction of a first stage on Friday, with a ceremonial start in Manlleu and a nocturnal regrouping in Taradell, was a notable novelty, expanding the event's scope.
The competition began with challenges on the «Els Cortals-Collsplana» stage, where fog and humidity complicated the initial leg. Francolí and Moreno dominated authoritatively, winning both passes, while Berfa and Mendrico trailed by 21 seconds. Local crew Albert Orriols and Manel Muñoz (Škoda) held provisional third place.
The second stage, held on Saturday, included a loop of three stages run twice, followed by the «La Trona-Orís» special, also to be repeated. Despite Berfa and Mendrico winning five of the six stages before midday, they could only reduce the gap to 16.6 seconds. Rain and the condition of the course made the first pass of «La Trona-Orís» difficult for the leaders, narrowing their advantage.
A storm front triggered the activation of the Inuncat plan, leading to the cancellation of the final stage for safety reasons, denying spectators a potentially close finish. Sergi Francolí and Xevi Moreno thus secured their hard-fought victory, also excelling in the Michelin Challenge. Berfa and Mendrico finished just three seconds behind.
Albert Orriols and Manel Muñoz completed the podium, followed by García-Forcada and Saborit-Garrigós. Also notable were Ramon Cornet and Dani Noguer (eighth and first non-Rally2) and Jordi Bosch and Joan Carreiras (fastest front-wheel drive).
In the Regularity Sport category, Jordi Auret and Joan Cairó (Peugeot 205 GTI) took victory at the last moment. In the Regularity category, the win went to Joan Cunill and Daniel Robledillo (Opel Kadett GT/E).
The final classification of the event includes 34 teams in the main category, 6 in Regularity Sport, and 7 in Regularity.
