82nd Monte to feature 'substantially modified route'
The Automobile Club de Monaco has revealed a substantially modified route for the 82nd edition of the Rallye Monte Carlo, which features a return to the Hautes-Alpes region and an opening day in and around the city of Sebastien Ogier's home town of Gap.
The 2014 format is much changed from this year, which started from Valence for the seventh straight year, and repeats hardly any stages on a route that is expected to surprise many at a time of year when the high Alpine climate is often severe.
After three days of recce, between 11-13 January, the event should prove to be a real marathon for the 80 competitors taking part. After the return of the traditional departure ceremony to Monte Carlo on 14 January, and shakedown at the small town of Chateauvieux, close to Gap, the following day, competition will begin on Thursday 16 January with a first loop of three stages being run twice around a service park located near Gap's nautical stadium.
The second day will begin with two legendary classic stages - the 49km of Vitrolles-Col D'Espreaux-Faye and 23km of Selonnet-Col des Garcinets-Breziers - whose extreme conditions were responsible for ending the victory hopes of so many drivers ten years ago. After a return to service, the resof the day will send competitors back to Monaco via a second run over Vitrolles-Col D'Espreaux-Faye, before crews tackle another well-known stage from Sisteron-Col de Fontbelle-Thoard and, finally, Digne- Col de Corobin-Chaudon Norante under the cover of darkness.
The final leg wll include two loops of two stages, one by day and the other by night, taking in the notorious La Boll?ne V?subie-Col de Turini-Moulinet and the new Sospel-Col de Brouis-Breil sur Roya, before the event is brought to a close with the awards ceremony in the square of the Prince's Palace in Monaco on Sunday 19 January.
