The ERC season opens in Sierra Morena with an attractive line-up

For the 2025 edition, the organizers of theERC have chosen to make slight adjustments to their program this year. Among the 8 rounds entered, two are pillars of this competition (Barum, Roma) while others have gradually made their place (Hungary, the Royal Rally in Sweden, Ceredigion in Wales). There are also arrivals with Poland and Croatia which were in WRC in 2024. The one based in Zagreb will do the opposite in 2026. Finally, the Sierra Morena begins its history completely at this level and it will have the honor of opening hostilities.

The first of five asphalt races scheduled this year, the event, which will take place around the city of Cordoba (Cordoba in Spanish) in the south of the country, will include 5 special stages (13 different layouts) representing 7 km of timed stages. The ceremonial start is scheduled for Thursday evening in the beautiful Las Tendillas square. Friday will be devoted to the qualifying stage, the shakedown, and the first 209,96 km stage in Cordoba. The rest will be classic, with loops of three stages to be taken twice with stops in the service park. As in the WRC, the weekend will conclude with a Power Stage that will award 1,5, 3, 5, 4, and 3 point. Once this framework is set, it remains to be seen who will best avoid its pitfalls. Who will be the first winner in the ERC this year?

The Spanish favorites?

In recent seasons, local riders have often overshadowed their European Championship competitors, with Oliver Solberg winning at home (2023 and 2024) followed by Andrea Crugnola in Rome (2023-2024). These are just two examples, but the trend is persistent. Will it be repeated in Spain? Sierra Morena is the 2^e round of the Spain Superchampionship, there will be many specialists and they will have the advantage of knowledge of the terrain. Efren Llarena (now on a C3), José Suarez (Fabia) or Pepe Lopez (Hyundai) should be key players. The absence of the last double winner in Europe, Hayden Paddon, should fuel interest, and guys like Mads Ostberg (C3), Mikolaj Marczyk (Fabia), Simone Tempestini (Fabia) and Andrea Mabellini (Fabia) all have the ERC experience to perform well.

Among the curiosities, the presence of Jos Verstappen (Fabia) is bound to be highly anticipated, as is that of Stéphane Lefebvre (i20). Finally, this championship always gives pride of place to the mavericks and three of them should stand out. Often at ease on the tarmac with his Michelin tires, Yoann Bonato will try to add another success at this level while Nikolay Gryazin and Robert Virves will take advantage of the opportunity to prepare for the Canary Islands Rally (April 23-27) in WRC2. Even if it will have nothing to do with the ERC, the event will also be enlivened by the presence of Thierry Neuville (Hyundai i20 Rally1) and Elfyn Evans (Toyota Yaris Rally1) who will be there in anticipation of the next Spanish WRC meeting.

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