An increasing field of 33 Renault Clio Rally5s will gather for the second round of the season, which marks the return of the Vosges event to the calendar after a year’s absence. On the fast and demanding special stages around Gérardmer, the smallest mistake could realign the pecking order in the title fight.

Winner on the roads of the north, Maxence Potard (Gilbert Compétition) has his sights set on a second consecutive victory. He aims to consolidate his lead in the general classification. Having finished just off the podium in the Vosges round of the 2024 Clio Trophy France Asphalte season, the Vesoul native is eager to impress as he was selected for the first crop of Collectif France Rallye FFSA, a new scheme dedicated to supporting promising talents on their path to the top level.

Beaten by 15.3s on home turf, Paul Dachicourt (Fun Meca Sport) leads the chase group and aims to reclaim the Junior lead with an eye on the official programme for 2027. Third at Le Touquet, Romain Brun looks to build on his strong start in a new rally. Alsatian Louis Gass (PH Sport) and Thomas Santiago (LCS Location), recent class winners in the Vosges, share this goal. Alex Florenson (PH Sport) from Belfort also wants to extend GL Automobiles’ Renault Network Challenge lead.

Also in the Junior category, look out for Oliver Sørensen’s progress. The Dane will target his first top ten finish, as will Néo Rivallant (Fun Meca Sport), Louis Bottin (PH Sport), Tom Le Jossec (Rageau Sport Location), and Léo Véricel. Meanwhile, Alfred Sablonnière (Lycée Roger Claustre), Amaury Pages, Justin Veyrard and Thomas Van Outrive (LCS Location) hope to close the gap to the frontrunners. Belgian driver Clémentine Benoit (Sarrazin Motorsport) has the same intention, whilst also having a chance to take the lead in the Women’s category.

Among the other contenders is Jérôme Janny (David Auto Compétition), who deserves close attention. He knows this course well, having won Rally5 last year. Fabien Combe and Christophe Truchet are part of a group of challengers looking to make their mark. Another group includes Guillaume Delobel (FK Express) and Maxime Chagot (LCS Location), who, like the others, are determined to master the intricacies of the Grand Est region quickly.

Seventh overall, Romain Fostier (David Auto Compétition) will be looking to extend his lead in the Gentlemen classification. A former class winner in the Vosges, the David Auto Compétition driver will face stiff competition. In addition to Franck Giraud (Lycée Roger Claustre), Pascal Bérard, two-time defending champion, Jacques Bourrat, one of the most experienced competitors in this rally, and Laurent Lambert will all be in action.

New contenders also join the fray. Yohan Roumieux (JLA Racing), fourth in last year’s Clio Trophy France Asphalte, is out to make a strong start to his campaign in the Vosges. Florent Fagnone, who scored a stage win in 2025, will aim for a standout performance on roads he knows well. Ludovic Lamarche (David Auto Compétition), Clément Didier, and Maxence Girard return to the service park. The event will also welcome Alexis Poso (Salvi Compétition) from the FR6 ranks, and Thibault Hickel (Gilbert Compétition).

Rallye Vosges Grand Est starts Saturday with three special stages, which are repeated in the afternoon. On Sunday, the crews will tackle three more timed sections, also run twice. Notably, the 25.71 km La Vologne is the longest stage of the route. Moving to the final ten stages, these offer up to five ‘Jean Ragnotti Performer’ points, awarded after 199.62 km of competition over a 534.41 km route. Meanwhile, Renault will compete in the French Rally Championship and Michelin Trophy with six Clio Rally3s, three Clio Rally4s, and six Clio Rally5s outside the Clio Trophy France Asphalte.

Entry list
#35 Maxence Potard – Maxime Biegalke (J)
#36 Paul Dachicourt – Adèle Dachicourt (J)
#37 Romain Brun – Aurélia Chevalier (J)
#38 Louis Gass – Alison Girard (J)
#39 Thomas Santiago – Anne-Laurence Breton (J)
#40 Alex Florenson – Charline Dichamp (J)
#41 Romain Fostier – Ophélie Abchiche (G)
#42 Jérôme Janny – Helena Pecheur
#43 Oliver Sørensen – Frederik Glad (J)
#44 Yohan Roumieux – Bastien Fontaine
#45 Fabien Combe – Fabien Chèze
#46 Néo Rivallant – Melvin Fraigne (J)
#47 Louis Bottin – Titouan Andreux (J)
#48 Tom Le Jossec – Christophe Leroy (J)
#49 Léo Véricel – Jade Gaston (J)
#50 Florent Fagnone – Benjamin Fagnone
#51 Christophe Truchet – Barbara Truchet
#52 Clément Didier – Théo Jacquemet (J)
#53 Pascal Bérard – Caroline Bérard (G)
#54 Alfred Sablonnière – Romain Depeux (J)
#55 Guillaume Delobel – Coralie Darras
#56 Amaury Pages – Mattis Chalvidan (J)
#57 Franck Giraud – Christophe Dubien (G)
#58 Thibault Hickel – Alexian Parmentier (J)
#59 Justin Veyrard – Corentin Landon (J)
#60 Thomas Van Outrive – Johanna Della-Pina (J)
#61 Laurent Lambert – Yannick Le Moing (G)
#62 Jacques Bourrat – Jean Bourrat (G)
#63 Clémentine Benoit – Éric De Bolle (J, F)
#64 Maxime Chagot – Bertrand Chagot
#65 Ludovic Lamarche – Baptiste Gauthier
#66 Alexis Poso – Lou Cardot (J)
#67 Maxence Girard – Ricardo Gil Mateus (J)