Alexey Lukyanuk Dominates Opening Stage of 42nd Orvecame Norte Rally
Alexey Lukyanuk dominated the opening stage of the 42nd Orvecame Norte Rally, setting a record pace in his new Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 to take a commanding 26-second lead over Enrique Cruz.
Alexey Lukyanuk dominated the opening of the 42nd Orvecame Norte Rally, proving once again why he is a force in Canarian motorsport. During the first timed stage between Los Realejos and Aguamansa, the Cypriot driver pulled well ahead of his rivals, showing he has quickly mastered his new Skoda Fabia RS Rally2—the same car he drove to success in Lanzarote recently.
Lukyanuk and his co-driver, Yuri Kulikov, completed the nearly 20-kilometer route in 13 minutes and 53 seconds. This time puts him 26 seconds ahead of second-place Enrique Cruz (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) and actually beats his own record from last year on the same course. Sergio Fuentes currently sits in third, followed by Yeray Lemes and Óscar Dóniz.
This strong start marks a significant turnaround for the two-time European champion. After a difficult year plagued by mechanical issues with his previous Hyundai i20 N, the switch to the Skoda seems to have brought him back to his best. Despite rainy conditions on Friday night, the stage went off without any major incidents.
The rally concludes this Saturday, when the final podium will be decided. Drivers face a busy day with six timed stages across three sectors, which they must complete twice. Racing resumes at 9:45 a.m. with the La Corona–Montefrío–Llanito Perera, El Amparo–La Montañeta–Ruigómez, and Villa de San Juan de la Rambla stages.