Fourmaux edges Rovanpera in Monte Carlo preparation rally

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

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

The 10 stage asphalt rally also offered up an opportunity to test the all-new Hankook control tyres and the non-hybrid versions of the GR Yaris and i20 N Rally1 cars.

The rally was Fourmaux’s first behind the wheel of the i20, after completing a move to join 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 driven by former sportscar racer Jonathan Hirschi, 6m02.9s adrift.

Fourmaux managed to tame difficult snowy conditions to move into the rally lead after stage two, La Bachassette 1 (24.21km).

Two-time world champion Rovanpera responded by winning the next two stages to close to within 16 seconds of the Frenchman at the end of Saturday’s opening leg.

But Fourmaux was 6.3s faster than Rovanpera through stage five (Les Gillardes, 13.65km) to open the lead back up to 22.3s. The advantage increased to 26 seconds after stage seven.

Rovanpera claimed the next two stages to set up a thrilling climax, as only 9.5s separated the pair heading into the final stage. However, Fourmaux took the final stage by six seconds from Rovanpera to clinch victory.

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