Monte-Carlo – SS5: Spectators injured, special stage cancelled

The fifth special of Rally Monte-Carlo, linking Saint-Léger-les-Mélèzes to La Bâtie-Neuve, has been cancelled. Spectators present on the course were injured in a rock fall and required medical assistance before the start of SS5. After a delay of a few minutes, the organisers decided to simply cancel the special. The drivers will therefore join La Bréole, the starting point of SS6, whose start has been delayed and is now scheduled for 11:59.

According to our colleagues from Dauphiné Libéré, "A landslide occurred on the road and spectators were injured. Spectators climbed onto an embankment and stones fell. Firefighters are on site. Two spectators are injured, one of whom is unconscious." The holding of the ES8 between Saint-Léger-les-Mélèzes and La Bâtie-Neuve this afternoon is being called into question.

⚠️ SS5 has been canceled while medical crews provide assistance to a spectator. Competing crews will follow an alternative route to SS6.#WRC | #RallyMonteCarlo ????????

— FIA World Rally Championship (@OfficialWRC) January 24, 2025

The general classification therefore remains fixed before the start of SS6. Elfyn Evans is the leader of the Rallye Monte-Carlo with an eight-tenths lead over Thierry Neuville and four seconds ahead of Sébastien Ogier. Adrien fourmaux is in 5th place, 16″6 behind the Welshman. In Rally2, Nikolay Gryazin is in the lead ahead of Yohan Rossel.

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