The Croatia Rally marked the first points-scoring event of the 2026 season for MSi Racing Team and TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Spain, with Alejandro Cachón and Borja Rozada competing in the WRC2 category of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC). They completed this demanding event with very positive feelings, finishing in a commendable fourth position in WRC2 and seventh overall in the WRC standings.
In this context, as the rally progressed, dirt from the Croatia Rally stages was gradually deposited onto the asphalt, creating particularly tricky sections with highly variable grip. Choosing the right tyres proved crucial to adapting the pace in each loop and making the difference.
On Friday, during the first stage, the overall feeling was very positive, although in the morning loop the duo did not get their tyre choice right. After service, with a new setup, they managed to find their rhythm and ended the day in third place in WRC2.
The second stage, on Saturday, was the most challenging day due to the condition of the asphalt. Everything was under control until they suffered two punctures, which cost them almost a minute. Even so, they once again demonstrated their speed, and in SS16—the stage that closed the second day—the Asturian driver set his first scratch time of the rally. By the end of Saturday, the duo held fifth place in WRC2, 1:42.1 behind the category leader, and were ninth overall.
On the third stage, Sunday, Alejandro Cachón and Borja Rozada kept pushing and managed to gain another position, catching Finland’s Roope Korhonen, to finish the rally in fourth place. In the overall standings, they ended the weekend seventh overall, as the top-finishing Toyota crew in WRC2.
The next event for Alejandro Cachón and Borja Rozada will be Rally Islas Canarias (April 23–26, 2026), where in 2025 they achieved an excellent second place with their first podium. They now head into an event whose profile and surface have traditionally suited them very well.
Alejandro Cachón (DRIVER): “It was a very complicated rally, with a lot of competition, and everything was going really well until we suffered two punctures on Saturday. From that point on, we had to fight our way back. In the end, we gained one position in the final stage, so considering how difficult things became, the result isn’t too bad. Now we’re looking forward to the Canary Islands, where we need to do better.”
Borja Rozada (CO-DRIVER): “A difficult rally, especially after the punctures on Saturday. Even so, we reacted well and recovered at the end. In the Canary Islands, we’ll aim for a better result.”
Teo Martín (TEAM MANAGER): “It has been a very demanding rally for the team. Despite the setbacks on Saturday, the response was very positive and the final result is solid. We will keep working to take another step forward in the Canary Islands.”