The highly anticipated Villa de Llanes rally in Asturias delivered an unforgettable battle, with Diego Ruiloba emerging victorious in a dramatic duel against Alejandro Cachón, who continues to lead the championship standings. José Antonio “Cohete” Suárez rounded out the top three in an intense fight between the Asturian contenders.
A Close Contest
From the start, the rally promised excitement, with the three local drivers fiercely competing for the lead. Ruiloba, driving his Citroën, managed to hold the front for most of the race, though the time gaps between him and his rivals remained narrow. Suárez initially took control, leading after the first stages, but it wasn’t long before Ruiloba claimed the top spot during the third special, the second run through La Tornería, often referred to as the “Spanish Turini” for its challenging nature.
Cachón, meanwhile, struggled with his tyre selection in the tricky and unpredictable weather conditions of eastern Asturias. Despite this setback, he recovered with impressive speed in the later stages, eventually winning five stages, including the crucial TC+. However, even with his late push, it wasn’t enough to dethrone Ruiloba, who clinched victory by a mere five-second margin.
Ruiloba’s approach was measured and strategic. He secured only three stage wins but consistently minimized his losses in the others. His composure under pressure was key to his success, especially as he navigated the ever-changing conditions on the rally’s rugged roads.
Cachón Holds the Championship Lead
Despite finishing second, Cachón’s performance kept him at the top of the overall standings. The driver from Cangas de Narcea now leads the championship with a 22-point advantage over Ruiloba, who is gaining ground as the season nears its end. With only two rounds remaining, the battle for the title is heating up, and Cachón will have to fight hard to stay ahead.
Drama Off the Stages
The rally was not without controversy. The demanding Labra special had to be cancelled during both scheduled runs due to incidents among spectators. In one instance, a fight broke out among fans, leading to dangerous conditions on the stage. Safety concerns took precedence, and the organizers were forced to call off the special.
Success in the Promotional Categories
In the promotion championships, there were standout performances across the board. Unai de la Dehesa secured his third victory in the Peugeot Challenge, continuing his dominance in the series. Javier Villa took the top spot in the GR Yaris Cup, while José Álvarez impressed in the Hyundai i20 N Cup, taking the win in that category.
The Spanish Rally Superchampionship continues on October 19 with the Rally Catalunya, where drivers will face the challenge of gravel in the penultimate round of the season. With the championship battle tighter than ever, all eyes will be on Cachón and Ruiloba as they push for victory and the coveted title.
Overall Results
01: D. Ruiloba/A. Vela (Citroen C3 Rally2) – 1h 00m 23.6s
02: A. Cachón/B. Rozada (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) + 5.4s
03: S. Suarez/P. Iglesias (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) + 18.3s
04: A. Ordonez/B. Pintor (Skoda Fabia R5) + 1m 09.2s
05: E. Llarena/S. Fernandez (Hyundai i20 N Rally2) + 1m 10.4s
06: M. Muniz Mora/V. Casal (Citroen C3 Rally2) + 1m 22.8s
07: S. Perez/A. Coronado (Hyundai i20 N Rally2) + 2m 17.6s
08: G. Membrado/A. Lopez (Ford Fiesta Rally2) + 3m 33.5s
09: J. Villa/E. Velasco (Toyota GR Yaris RZ) + 6m 20.3s
10: J. Bassas Mas/M. Munoz (Toyota GR Yaris RZ) + 6m 25.4s