{"id":3263,"date":"2025-04-24T17:10:04","date_gmt":"2025-04-24T17:10:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.worldrally.eu\/?p=3263"},"modified":"2025-04-24T17:10:08","modified_gmt":"2025-04-24T17:10:08","slug":"kalle-rovanpera-sets-the-pace-at-rally-islas-canarias","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.worldrally.eu\/index.php\/2025\/04\/24\/kalle-rovanpera-sets-the-pace-at-rally-islas-canarias\/","title":{"rendered":"Kalle Rovanper\u00e4 Sets the Pace at Rally Islas Canarias"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Rally Islas Canarias started with a strong performance from Kalle Rovanper\u00e4. The Finnish driver impressed early, setting the fastest time on his first lap (4:13.1) and then going even quicker in his second, cutting 3.1 seconds off. This is his first proper tarmac rally since Rally Japan back in 2023, not counting the icy Monte Carlo Rally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Close behind him was Japan\u2019s Takamoto Katsuta. He clocked 4:12.5 on his third try. Ott T\u00e4nak was third with a time of 4:12.9, matching Thierry Neuville, who also clocked the same time, placing him fourth. Elfyn Evans came in next, 4.1 seconds behind Rovanper\u00e4 \u2014 a big gap on such a short 6.26 km stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Thierry Neuville at Shakedown Rally Islas Canarias \/ Photo by TG MotorPhoto<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Traffic during the recce (pre-race practice runs) made note-taking tricky. Neuville mentioned, \u201cThe recce was very complicated with all the traffic, but now the fun part starts.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tires were another hot topic. This is the first time Hankook tires are being used on asphalt in the WRC. French driver Adrien Fourmaux, who finished seventh with a 4:14.7, pointed out how important it is to manage tire temperature on the warm, twisting Gran Canarian roads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Nikolay Gryazin at Shakedown Rally Islas Canarias \/ Photo by TG MotorPhoto<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In the WRC2 category, Nikolay Gryazin was quickest, with a single run of 4:20.4. He was followed by Spanish Supercampe\u00f3n Alejandro Cach\u00f3n (4:21.2). The Rossel brothers, Yohan and L\u00e9o, came in third and fourth with times of 4:21.9 and 4:22.4 in their Citro\u00ebn C3s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In WRC3, Matt\u00e9o Chatillon led with 4:40.6, ahead of Nataniel Bruun (4:43.9) and Takumi Matsushita (4:47.4).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, the action continues with the ceremonial start at Plaza de Santa Ana in Las Palmas at 9:00 PM, right after the autograph session at 8:00 PM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n