What was the ACM's philosophy in choosing the special stages that make up the 2025 route?
It is quite simple: we always try to find technically complicated sections which will provide a fairly high level of sporting interest. Obviously, we have to adapt to the topography of the land. Firstly, we are looking among the municipalities which are willing to welcome us, also based on the experience of previous years by looking at where events had occurred.
Enthusiasts often criticize Monte-Carlo for no longer offering very long special stages. Why this trend?
Both in terms of sport and safety, it is easier to manage short stages. Given the number of public zones to be set up and the people to be deployed on the ground, it is easier to have reduced sections. Likewise, in the event of an interruption or cancellation, having a sector with few kilometers is simpler to administer and we are likely to only lose a few kilometers instead of 50 km. In race management, managing a SS in which there are several dozen cars at the same time is also a complicated thing to do.
What were the main issues to resolve to set up this route?
-They are essentially administrative. First of all, we must obtain authorization from the municipalities. Then, we must adapt to demands, particularly in environmental matters, which are now very restrictive. Finally, there is everything related to security. For the rest, we are quite free to do what we wish once we have all the necessary authorizations from the various elected officials.
In your opinion, which will be the stages where victory should be decided?
It is really not easy to name just one. I think the difficult times on Thursday evening will immediately create gaps. The conditions that will be encountered during the day on Friday will further complicate the debates with in particular the passage of the Col de Moissière (located in a ski resort, these few kilometers are always snowy. Editor’s note). Then, the long Saturday loop (131.4 km timed. Editor’s note), will also make differences. I cannot single out one section in particular and I am convinced that we are going to witness a real and beautiful Monte-Carlo, sportingly complicated.
Comments collected by Loïc Rocci
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