As an ideal preparatory race for the Ypres Rally, the Monteberg Rally can once again count on many top competitors. BK leader Niels Reynvoet is also present. It will be a home race for his co-driver and two-time winner Kris D’alleine.
Niels Reynvoet and Kris D’alleine are clearly in a winning mood for the Monteberg Rally, because last weekend they took their second Belgian Championship victory in a row. “It was very exciting until the last second, but we did an excellent job for the championship again,” says D’alleine. “In the Rallye de Wallonie we actually won in the lion’s den, on a course that should in principle suit us less well. With the Sezoensrally, Ypres and the Omloop, more of our rallies are now coming up.”
In any case, the collaboration is going well. “We have only been riding together since the 6 Hours of Kortrijk last year, but we are getting along,” says D’alleine. “The results did not just appear out of the blue. Niels was already doing well at the end of last year. Furthermore, it is mainly a matter of hard work: working on tests, tires, onboard images, etc. At this level it really depends on details. The team aspect is also extremely important. It cannot be underestimated how many people are working on this behind the scenes.”
“In view of the Ypres Rally, it is important to gain some extra kilometers in the region”
Kris D’alone
This weekend the duo will exchange the trusted Citroën C3 from DG Sport for a new Skoda Fabia from the stables of Pieter Tsjoen Racing. “This participation is separate from our BK program. We just want to try out the Skoda to see what it can do. With a view to the Ypres Rally, it is also important to gain some extra kilometers in the region, because Niels has less experience there than the other BK tenors. It can also be interesting to try certain tires in competition. In any case, we will test another day, so we will not be ‘cold’ at the start. I think the Skoda is a car that Niels likes.”
No Jos Verstappen
In any case, the field of participants in Poperinge contains enough references. “Jos Verstappen might have been the best indicator of value with his Skoda, but it is a shame that he does not start. Vincent Verschueren has shown that he is doing well in Wallonia and of course there are also Bjorn Syx and Davy Vanneste. And I also expect a lot from Gilles Pyck, who has a car that will probably suit him well with the VW Polo. Of course we would like to win, but it is clear that we will not just get it as a gift,” said D’alleine.