Monte Carlo route sets one of rallying’s toughest opening tests
The 94th Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo begins on Thursday, January 22, with crews facing one of the most demanding routes in world rallying. The opening round of the 2026 FIA World Rally Championship will be decided over 17 special stages covering 339.15 competitive kilometres on Monegasque and French roads.
The rally starts from Monaco’s Quai Albert 1er at 14:00 on Thursday and immediately heads into the mountains. Three stages in the Alpes-Maritimes and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence – Toudon / Saint-Antonin, Esclangon / Seyne-les-Alpes and Vaumeilh / Claret – make up the opening leg, with over 61 kilometres against the clock. Two of these tests are run in fading light and darkness, a traditional Monte-Carlo feature that often exposes crews early.
Friday is the longest day of the rally, with 129.38 kilometres of special stages across the Drôme and Hautes-Alpes. A three-stage loop is run twice, taking in the demanding roads of Laborel / Chauvac-Laux-Montaux, Saint-Nazaire-le-Désert / La Motte Chalancon and La Bâtie-des-Fonts / Aspremont. These stages are known for narrow mountain roads, broken surfaces and frequent changes in grip.
Saturday remains challenging despite a shorter distance of 78.22 kilometres. Crews tackle the new La Bréole / Bellaffaire stage via the Garcinets pass twice, along with a daytime repeat of Vaumeilh / Claret. The rally then returns to Monaco on Saturday evening for a super special stage on the lower section of the Monaco Grand Prix circuit, the first street stage in the principality since 2008.
Sunday’s finale features two of the rally’s best-known mountain tests, both run twice. Col de Braus / La Cabanette and La Bollène-Vésubie / Moulinet form the deciding leg, with the second run of La Bollène-Vésubie / Moulinet acting as the Wolf Power Stage. These roads, close to the famous Col de Turini area, regularly play a key role in deciding the outcome.
Monte-Carlo’s reputation is built on its unpredictable conditions. Dry asphalt, damp patches, ice and snow can all appear within a single stage. Tyre choice is critical, with crews selecting between slicks and studded options as conditions change throughout the weekend.
The rally concludes with the final podium ceremony at Port Hercule in Monaco on Sunday evening.
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