Now in its seventh campaign featuring the fifth generation of Renault Clio, the Clio Trophy France Asphalte continues to attract interest, with a season-high 33 Clio Rally5s set to compete at Laissac.

Following rounds at Le Touquet and in the Vosges, another thrilling battle is on the cards in Aveyron. Leading the standings after his maiden victory, Paul Dachicourt (Fun Meca Sport) heads to Rodez determined to consolidate his position. Also at the top of the Junior category, the Pas-de-Calais native has his sights set on a second consecutive win at a rally where he delivered his best result of the season last year, despite several setbacks.

His main rivals are determined to prevent him from pulling away. Winner of the opening round, Maxence Potard (Gilbert Compétition) seeks to bounce back after his crash in the Vosges. The Collectif France Rallye FFSA driver will have company in this endeavour, as Romain Brun is keen to return to the podium following a tricky weekend at Gérardmer.

Several competitors also hope to close the gap on the frontrunners. Jérôme Janny (David Auto Compétition) will draw on his knowledge of the roads whilst Yohan Roumieux (JLA Rally), who finished sixth last year, will look to build on the promising form he showed at the start of his campaign in the Vosges. Having secured two top-ten finishes so far this year, Fabien Combe will be another driver to watch, as will Christophe Truchet, winner of the 2025 Clio Full Challenge.

The battle in the Juniors category, where the winner will secure an official drive, also promises to intensify. On the back of his first podium finish in the Vosges, Clément Didier (JLA Rally) wants to repeat the feat on unfamiliar roads, unlike Thomas Santiago (LCS Location), who has three class victories to his name in the Rouergue. Alex Florenson (PH Sport), Tom Le Jossec (Rageau Sport Location) and Louis Gass (PH Sport) will try to close the gap to the leaders, whilst Néo Rivallant (Fun Meca Sport) and Léo Véricel target results more in line with their ambitions.

Among the other hopefuls, Denmark’s Oliver Sørensen, Thomas Van Outryve (LCS Location), Amaury Pagès, Alexis Poso (Salvi Compétition) and Louis Bottin (PH Sport) will discover the Rouergue special stages, whilst Maxence Girard (CHL Sport Auto) will be able to draw on his experience. Back in action following his spectacular retirement at Le Touquet, Loan Guibal (Salvi Compétition) will look to convert his speed into further fastest-stage times and a convincing result.

Leader of the Gentlemen class, Romain Fostier (David Auto Compétition) has high ambitions whilst also aiming to extend his lead over two-time defending champion Pascal Bérard. Jacques Bourrat, Franck Giraud and Laurent Lambert will also be in the mix. In the Women’s category, Clémentine Benoit (Sarrazin Motorsport) will defend her position at the top of the standings and face Lilou Boulangé, a rookie behind the wheel after co-driving for her father Arnaud in 2025.

Other drivers will make their season debut, starting with Johan Grès, who will have high hopes on home soil following his top-ten finish last year. Another local competitor, Damien Vincent, also returns to the service park 12 months after his first outing in the trophy, whilst Nicolas Paviet-Roche will also be back. Lastly, Robin Duarte, 2024 class winner at the Rouergue, and Baptiste Langlois, a multiple winner in the French Rally Cup, will be making their Clio Trophy France Asphalte maiden appearances.

The 52nd Rouergue Rodez Aveyron Occitanie Rally gets underway on Friday with two identical loops comprising four special stages. On Saturday, the crews will tackle three new timed sectors twice, including Luc-la-Primaube – Moyrazès, before a super special stage through the streets of Rodez. The final ten special stages of this 200.958-kilometre route will each award up to five ‘Jean Ragnotti Performer’ points to the five fastest drivers, in addition to the standard scoring system at the finish. Three Clio Rally3, four Clio Rally4, and five other Clio Rally5 (outside the trophy) will also be in action.

Entry list
#55 Paul Dachicourt – Adèle Dachicourt (J)
#56 Maxence Potard – Maxime Biegalke (J)
#57 Romain Fostier – Ophélie Abchiche (G)
#58 Romain Brun – Aurélia Chevalier (J)
#59 Jérôme Janny – Helena Pecheur
#60 Alex Florenson – Charline Dichamp (J)
#61 Tom Le Jossec – Christophe Leroy (J)
#62 Louis Gass – Alison Girard (J)
#63 Yohan Roumieux – Bastien Fontaine
#64 Fabien Combe – Fabien Chèze
#65 Néo Rivallant – Melvin Fraigne (J)
#66 Christophe Truchet – Barbara Truchet
#67 Clément Didier – Jérémy Pacaud (J)
#68 Léo Véricel – Laura Grégoire (J)
#69 Oliver Sørensen – Frederik Glad (J)
#70 Thomas Santiago – Sarah Pernet-Coudrier (J)
#71 Loan Guibal – Lohan Ranchard (J)
#72 Pascal Bérard – Caroline Bérard (G)
#73 Johan Grès – Cécile Pages
#74 Thomas Van Outryve – Johanna Della-Pina (J)
#75 Damien Vincent – Frédéric Vincent (J)
#76 Jacques Bourrat – Jean Bourrat (G)
#77 Alexis Poso – Stéphane Maillé (J)
#78 Robin Duarte – Paul Bernie (J)
#79 Nicolas Paviet-Roche – Mélodie Bellavarde
#80 Amaury Pages – Mattis Chalvidan (J)
#81 Clémentine Benoit – Éric De Bolle (J, F)
#82 Franck Giraud – Christophe Dubien (G)
#83 Laurent Lambert – Adam Thouez (G)
#84 Maxence Girard – Ricardo Gil Mateus (J)
#85 Baptiste Langlois – Yael Lamont (J)
#86 Louis Bottin – Titouan Andreux (J)
#87 Lilou Boulangé – Élodie Ruszkowski (J)