RALLY DI ROMA CAPITALE ERC SS1: YOHAN ROSSEL WINS COLOSSEUM SUPER SPECIAL

LANCIA DRIVER CLAIMS EARLY ERC LEAD AS ALL FOUR TYRE MANUFACTURERS FEATURE IN A TIGHTLY CONTESTED OPENING STAGE

Yohan Rossel made the perfect start to ERC Rally di Roma Capitale 2026, setting the fastest time on the spectacular Colosseo ACI Roma super special to lead the FIA ERC European Rally Championship after the opening stage.

Driving a Hankook-equipped Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 Integrale, Rossel completed the 1.30-kilometre stage SS1 in 59.5 seconds, finishing 0.2 seconds ahead of reigning European champion Miko Marczyk in a Michelin-equipped Škoda Fabia RS Rally2.

The opening test around Rome's iconic Colosseum produced an incredibly close battle, with the FIA ERC's four official tyre suppliers all represented inside the top six.

Dominik Stříteský placed third, just one-tenth behind Marczyk, while Erik Cais guided his Hyundai i20 N Rally2 to fourth on MRF tyres.

Nikolay Gryazin completed the top five before Roberto Daprà, competing on Pirelli tyres, secured sixth place to ensure all four tyre manufacturers featured among the front-runners.

"The opening Colosseum stage produced an exceptionally close contest, with just fractions of a second separating the leading ERC contenders."

Andrea Mabellini finished seventh ahead of last year's Colosseo stage winner Boštjan Avbelj, while Yoann Bonato and Simone Tempestini completed the overall top ten.

Former Rally di Roma Capitale winner Andrea Crugnola ended the opening stage in 11th position, followed by Tristan Charpentier, defending Rome winner Giandomenico Basso, Fabio Andolfi and Tuukka Kauppinen.

ERC3 AND JUNIOR ERC BATTLES BEGIN

In FIA ERC3, Matteo Fontana made an impressive start by setting the fastest time on his championship debut.

Driving a Ford Fiesta Rally3, Fontana led Craig Rahill and Ville Vatanen, completing an all-Ford Fiesta Rally3 top three.

The battle in FIA Junior ERC was headed by Colin Dünker, who claimed his first stage victory aboard a Ford Fiesta Rally4.

Fellow German Timo Schulz finished second in an Opel Corsa Rally4, while Kyle McBride completed the top three in a Peugeot 208 Rally4.

The same three drivers also occupied the leading positions in ERC4, with Alexandre Villiod fourth fastest in a Lancia Ypsilon Rally4 HF.

"Rossel takes the early championship advantage, but the margins remain extremely close heading into Saturday's full day of competition."

CATEGORY LEADERS

FIA ERC Overall

Yohan Rossel

FIA ERC3

Matteo Fontana

FIA Junior ERC

Colin Dünker

ERC4

Colin Dünker

Key Points

• Yohan Rossel won the Colosseo ACI Roma opening stage.

• Rossel leads Rally di Roma Capitale after SS1.

• Miko Marczyk finished second, 0.2 seconds behind.

• Dominik Stříteský completed the overall top three.

• All four ERC tyre suppliers were represented inside the top six.

• Matteo Fontana led FIA ERC3 on his championship debut.

• Colin Dünker claimed his first FIA Junior ERC stage victory.

• Saturday features the first full day of competitive action on the Italian asphalt stages.

Rank	Driver	Car	Gap
1	Yohan Rossel	Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 Integrale	59.5
2	Miko Marczyk	Škoda Fabia RS Rally2	+0.2
3	Dominik Stříteský	Škoda Fabia RS Rally2	+0.3
4	Erik Cais	Hyundai i20 N Rally2	+0.6
5	Nikolay Gryazin	Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 Integrale	+0.8
6	Roberto Daprà	Škoda Fabia RS Rally2	+0.9
7	Andrea Mabellini	Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 Integrale	+1.0
8	Boštjan Avbelj	Škoda Fabia RS Rally2	+1.1
9	Yoann Bonato	Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 Integrale	+1.2
10	Simone Tempestini	Škoda Fabia RS Rally2	+1.3