A fixture on the Clio Trophy France Terre calendar since 2021, the gravel and dirt roads around Mende will again host a crucial return to action for the Renault Clio Rally5 aspirants.

Already a double winner this season, Mika Rasoamaromaka has a third victory in his sights in Lozère. Fast in his three previous appearances in this rally, the Madagascan will draw on his experience to try to distance his closest rivals, Florian Bouchonneau and Anaël Cayla. Leading the Performer Jean Ragnotti classification, Bouchonneau will also return to stages he knows well, having finished second on his way to the title in 2022. Fourth in the Causses and third in Aléria, the latter looks to continue his rise to prominence on a course where he has won the R3 class in 2023 and 2024.

The three drivers also go into this new confrontation at the sharp end of the Junior classification, where an official sporting programme is up for grabs. The outcome of their battle will also have direct implications for 2026 as the Fun Meca Sport and AMD Motorsport by Gulf Racing squads are currently fighting to run the car of the future class winner.

However, several competitors have not yet had their final say and hope to make up ground as the final sprint approaches. Thomas Eustaquio and Jean Lavigne have high hopes, as does Alexandre Gransagne, who finished third on the podium twelve months ago. After making a mistake while leading on home soil in Aléria, Anthony Rovina will be eager to convert his potential into big points. Benjamin Rico, who has been consistent, could also do well on such a tricky course, as could Charles Charrier, who won his class on these roads in 2023. Thomas Mouysset and Lucas Aymard will rely on their experience to create a surprise on roads that will be new to Joris Grès and Alexandre Villiod, last year’s best Junior in the Clio Trophy Spain Tierra.

Ludovic De Luca, the leader in the Gentlemen category, will try to extend his lead while helping Agence De Luca consolidate its lead at the top of the Renault Network Challenge with fellow competitors Florian Bouchonneau and Christophe Truchet, who will be closely monitored as he is just one Clio Trophy France Asphalte start away from becoming eligible for the overall Clio Full Challenge classification. The same goes for Alexandre Brossy, who knows well the Lozère special stages.

Also familiar with the Terre de Lozère, Gaël Bertrand and Romain Sagnes will try to bank on their experience whilst Nicolas Hebrard will continue to learn about this surface. Lastly, the Clio Trophy France Terre will welcome a newcomer, Jérôme Lextrait.

Based in Mende, the 14th Rallye Terre de Lozère kicks off on Friday with the shakedown and scrutineering. On a very revamped route compared to last year, the first leg will consist of two identical loops of three special stages before two passes through Le Born and Allenc on Sunday. Each test will award up to five ‘Performer Jean Ragnotti’ points to the five fastest drivers, in addition to the final results. The crews will compete over 141.4 timed kilometres as part of a total route of 405.04 km. Nine Clio Rally3s are also entered, with as many crews ready to extend the model’s winning streak in both Rally3 and FFSA GT2i Gravel Trophy.

Entry list
#38 Mika Rasoamaromaka – Mélissa Declerck (J)
#39 Florian Bouchonneau – Jeanne Rey (J)
#40 Anaël Cayla – Rémi Nolorgues (J)
#41 Thomas Eustaquio – Pauline Compozieux (J)
#42 Alexandre Gransagne – Loïc Maurel
#43 Jean Lavigne – Arnaud Cubizolles (J)
#44 Anthony Rovina – Audrey Nesta (J)
#45 Benjamin Rico – Samuel Passetemps (J)
#46 Christophe Truchet – Barbara Truchet
#47 Alexandre Villiod – Maëlle Casays (J)
#48 Alexandre Brossy – Jean-Marc Laviale
#49 Ludovic De Luca – José Boyer (G)
#50 Gaël Bertrand – Fabien Adenot
#51 Charles Charrier – Maxime Machabert (J)
#52 Nicolas Hebrard – Bastien Dumas
#53 Joris Gres – Léa Milon (J)
#54 Thomas Mouysset – Margaux Jeudy (J)
#55 Romain Sagnes – Frédéric Vincent
#56 Lucas Aymard – Hugo Olivier (J)
#57 Jérôme Lextrait – Angelo Lo Fiego